Robert E. Maynard

Robert E. Maynard of Riverside, RI, died on July 5, 2022 at Hattie Ide Chaffee Home.  He was the husband of the late Cecelia (Rutkowski) Maynard and is survived by his daughter Michelle C. Maynard and granddaughter Lara C. Sunter, both of Cranston, RI.

He is also survived by his brother Charles Maynard of East Greenwich and sister Lucille Maynard Morin of West Warwick and many nieces and nephews.  He was pre-deceased by his son-in-law Matthew Sunter, his brother, Rev. Leon Maynard and sisters, Pauline Rutkowski, Annette Maynard, and Violette Maynard.

Born in Providence, Robert was the son of the late Leon and Violette (St. Onge) Maynard.  He grew up in West Warwick and attended West Warwick High School where he was his class valedictorian.

Robert was a veteran of both the Second World War and the Korean War.   He served in the European theater for 16 months as a member of the 63rd Division and was awarded a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.  He was proud of his service but like many members of the Greatest Generation, was humble and not one to talk about it.  Spurred by Tom Brokaw’s Greatest Generation initiative, in 2005, Bob agreed to be interviewed by his daughter and son-in-law for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project, and the recording is part of the project archives. 

After his service, Robert graduated from Providence College with a degree in Business Administration.  He taught school for a short period before joining Old Stone Bank where he had a distinguished 40-year career.  During his time at the bank, he served in many roles including Assistant Vice President for IRAs, teller trainer, and branch manager at several locations, including the “Gold Dome” building on Providence’s South Main Street.  A teacher at heart, he particularly enjoyed training and mentoring younger colleagues and teaching people the value of saving and making sound financial choices.

After he retired and before he and Cecelia started their annual 3-month winter stay in Marco Island, Florida, Bob served for several years as a volunteer with AARP, offering free tax services to seniors in need.

Robert was a communicant of St. Brendan’s Church where he served in numerous volunteer capacities throughout the years.

His greatest joys were three women who loved him dearly -- Ceil his beloved wife of 59 years who pre-deceased him in 2020, his daughter Michelle, and his granddaughter Lara who lit up his life in his later years.

Visitation will be at St. Brendan Church, 60 Turner Ave Riverside RI 02915 on Tuesday August 9th, 2022 at 9:00 AM, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM in the church.  Interment at Swan Point Cemetery 585 Blackstone Blvd, Providence, RI  02906 with full Military Honors will immediately follow the mass at St Brendan.

In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes contributions in Robert’s memory to the Rhode Island Foundation’s Fund for Rhode Island, One Union Station, Providence, RI   02903 https://rifoundation.org/