Robert “Bobby” Dorr Jr., 43, died at his home in Ellsworth, Maine, on May 5, 2021, ending a 16-month-long battle with occupational colon cancer. He was the devoted son of Robert Dorr Sr. and the late Stanya Dorr, proud father of Aubrey and Allison, loving husband to his wife, Heather, caring stepfather to Benton and Braelynn, and a friend and brother to all who knew him.

Bobby answered a lifelong calling to serve his community by joining the Ellsworth Fire Department in 2009 as a paid-on-call member and a full-time career firefighter in 2010. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually achieving the position of deputy chief. In addition to his fire department duties, he was a lead instructor at the Hancock County Fire Academy for five years.

Deputy Chief Dorr’s career was marked by an unwavering commitment to professionalism and a profound sense of duty. He was the only Ellsworth firefighter to be named Firefighter of the Year three times, receiving the distinction in 2012, 2016, and 2017. He received a Certificate of Commendation for a successful rescue in 2013, was honored with the Patriot Award in 2019, and in 2021 received the Captain Joel Barnes Award for his outstanding service.

Shortly after Bobby received his cancer diagnosis, he started raising funds to purchase particulate flash hoods with the goal of equipping every firefighter in Hancock County, and his childhood hometown of Steuben, with this cancer-preventing personal protective equipment. Deputy Chief Dorr lived a life of purpose, living up to his creed, “For those I love, I will sacrifice.” His family continues his mission, giving each Hancock County Fire Academy graduate a particulate flash hood in Bobby’s memory.