Retiree Bob Violette, 76, is named as 1st Lewiston shooting victim after he died ‘trying to save kids in bowling alley’
THE victims of Wednesday’s mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, are beginning to be identified.
The first named victim was a longtime bowling instructor who family members say bravely died protecting children.
Bob Violette, 76, was born and raised in Lewiston and was an avid bowler who took up the sport on most mornings and participated in leagues, his daughter-in-law, Cassandra, told The Sun Journal.
Violette and his wife of almost 50 years, Lucy, took up the sport in retirement because it was something they could do together, family members recalled.
However, Violette became passionate about the sport and began running a youth bowling league at the Just-In-Time Recreation bowling alley, previously known as Sparetime.
“He wouldn’t let you walk out the door without giving him a hug and a kiss on the cheek,” Cassandra said, “He was just there for everything.”
WEDNESDAY BOWLING NIGHTS
On Wednesdays, the retired Sears mechanic participated in the youth bowling nights, teaching children the sport.
Cassandra said he saved money to buy iPads and iPhones to get good videos of the kids in his league and help them improve.
“He loved those kids, all of them,” she recalled.
Violette’s wife was also injured in the shooting. Her condition is unknown.
Employees at the bowling alley remember the retiree as always having a warm presence.
“So kind, and he was always super understanding. He was very patient with everybody,” co-worker Brandon Dubuc told local CBS affiliate WBZ-TV.
Dubuc said Violette helped with the youth league for as long as he could remember: “There wasn’t a kid that he wouldn’t help.
“He was just always a warm presence.”
Violette is survived by his wife, their three children, Andrew, Tom, and John, and six grandchildren.
BAR MANAGER IDED AS VICTIM
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