Service helps Hodgdon heal

By Elna Seabrooks
Staff Writer
    HODGDON — In his all too short life, Robert J. Armstrong moved so many, that in death, at age 17, it could be no different. An overflow crowd of family and friends turned out Monday for a memorial service at Hodgdon High School to say goodbye to the young man who died Friday in a tragic car accident.
    They came from Houlton, Hodgdon, Danforth, from SAD 14, SAD 29, SAD 70 and as far away as New Hampshire to find some comfort in the sharing of stories, memories and even a video montage of the young man known for his good spirit, helpfulness and fun-loving nature. 
    According to Maine State Police, the fatal crash occurred on the Hodgdon Mills Rd in Linneus at 11:45 a.m. when Armstrong lost control of the vehicle as he traveled east and hit a utility pole. He was not wearing a seat belt and died of massive head injuries at the scene.
     Hodgdon High School Principal Clark Rafford prepared the gym to seat 350 people; more than 550 showed up. “I was amazed at the number of people he could touch,” said the young man’s uncle, Rev. Richard McLaughlin, who added: “He was energetic. He would stop and take time to help you.” Rafford described him as the “consummate jokester who liked to joke around and make people laugh, especially if someone was having a bad day.”
    A senior at Hodgdon High School, he worked at Grammie’s Country Inn. The McLaughlins said they called young Armstrong, “Bobby” and shared him with his family due to his work schedule. Always on the go, McLaughlin used to say, “he was here and now, he’s gone.”
    Perhaps, those memories and the shock of such a loss is what mobilized so many to pull together to console each other. “Mr. Rafford went into high gear five minutes after the accident and started to set up the memorial service,” said McLaughlin who described the family as “doing pretty well” since the cremation and memorial service. Friends brought so much food to the family, that they were able to share it with others in the community. McLaughlin also said another uncle, David Croft, Boscawen, New Hampshire Police Chief, told him: “Big cities long for this type of community.”
    Robert Armstrong is survived by his parents, Paul and Karen Armstrong of Danforth; three sisters, Judith, Kimberly and Jennifer of Danforth; his maternal grandfather, Marjarino “Sharky” Ascani of Bow, N.H.; and his paternal grandfather, Paul R. Armstrong of Houlton.