Robert W. Kane

Robert William Kane (Bob, or Bobby to close friends and family) passed away peacefully in his sleep at the Ardie R. Copas State Veterans’ Nursing Home in Port. St. Lucie, Florida on November 28, 2024, at the age of 82. He was born on July 31, 1942, in Island Pond, VT to the late William J. Kane and Priscilla R. (Ovitt) Kane. He is survived by his wife, (Mary) Jean Kane, his daughter, Amanda Kane, and son-in-law, Jeremy Duke. His siblings: Betty Little, John Kane, Kathleen (Candy) Lyon, Peter (Mark) Kane, Paul (Pumpkin) Kane, Shawn Kane and Sharon Canfield. He also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. 

At a young age, Bob worked on the Canadian National Railroad laying track in Maine, NH, and Vermont. On his 18th birthday, he joined the US Army and served from 1961-1964. That ended with an honorable discharge. After serving in the Army he worked at the Groveton Paper Mill in Groveton, NH where he suffered a broken leg. He was sent to Liberty Mutual in Boston, Massachusetts for rehabilitation where he met his wife, (Mary) Jean Kane, who was one of his physical therapists. After they were married in 1968 they lived in Las Cruces, New Mexico where Bob learned to fly single-engine planes, Bob missed New England and the two moved back and built their life in Loudon, NH. They loved living in the country, where they had a small farm that included cows, horses, chickens, ducks, bunnies, dogs, and cats. During this time he worked many odd jobs, including farming, handyman, painting, currier, and many more. In the early 1980s, he built their house from the ground up with the help of friends and family, then that he would call home for almost 40 years.

Over the years spent living in NH both Jean and Bob took in many friends, family, and foreign exchange students who needed a place to stay, as well as opening their doors during the holidays. Not only did Bob and Jean gracefully allow people to live with them; but they also had countless cats, as well as many retired racing greyhounds as pets. He was passionate about helping others. He was well-liked by his neighbors and the community in Loudon. He always brought a smile to people with a joke or quirky story about his day. He had a passion for football and loved spending Sundays with friends and family watching the game. He and Jean retired to Port St. Lucie in 2014 where they enjoyed the constant sunshine and easy-living of Florida. During his retirement, he enjoyed many road trips and “kitty rescues” with his daughter, Amanda, since Florida has an abundance of cats and kittens in need of homes, 

Robert had many things he loved, in particular, pie, coffee, cheerios with berries. ginger ale, coke, BBQ, breakfast meals, going out to eat, chocolate and candy! He went on countless vacations with family and friends, his favorites including Disney with his sister and Dutch Country, PA with close friends. He had the ability to turn the most mundane tasks into an adventure. He cherished his relationships with those that he was close with, always gifting little things to show his appreciation. 

In lieu of flowers, Bob’s wishes were for donations to be made to the Salvation Army or to donate blood to the American Red Cross. A memorial service will be held Tuesday, December 3rd at Martin Funeral Home in Port St. Lucie, FL at 11 AM. Anyone is welcome to share a memory or story of Bob at the service. There will also be a ceremony at the NH State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen, NH at a later date.