I.B.M. Ring 362
The Maine Mystics
Bangor, Maine

Broken Wand
Bob Nixon (1945 - 2008)

Bob Nixon, 63, of Auburn, Maine, died January 19, 2008, after collapsing during a chess tournament. He held I.B.M. number 27727 and was the Territorial Vice President of Maine. He was a member of Ring 362, The Maine Mystics, based in Bangor, as well as the Secretary of S.A.M. Assembly 174 in Portland. Scot Grassette, President of S.A.M. Assembly 174 and a member of Ring 362, conducted a Broken Wand ceremony at the funeral home, which was attended by a score of magicians from Maine and Canada.

He was born in Portland, January 4, 1945, the son of Frederic and Velma Hersey Nixon. Bob was educated in Portland schools and proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era. He was married to Laurence Bonneau for 36 magicial and wonderful years.

Bob's interest in magic began at the age of five. He learned his first card trick at six, and had a full magic repertoire by the time he reached his teens. He had a series of regular restaurant magic engagements in Florida before returning to Maine in the 1980s, where he operated It's Magic, a magic-themed restaurant in Portland, Maine. He worked many other restaurant gigs, and was a regular feature at fairs and festivals in Maine. Over the last two years, Bob and his wife Laurence toured with the Armed Forces Entertainment Network, taking their show to Japan, Korea, Hawaii, Guam, Okinawa and Kwajalein.

Bob was also a competitive chess player, with many trophies and awards under his belt, and a stand-up comedian, having played with Loosen Up Improv Comedy Troupe for seven years.

Despite his busy performing schedule, Bob always made time to encourage young people with an interest in magic. Bob will be remembered for his profound love of magic, his mischievous sense of humor, and the smiles and laughter that he spread around the world.

Donations in his memory will be kept with the local SYM #130 Portland/Rumford Covens Kids. Please mail to Karen Seymour, 52 Autumn View Drive, Windham, ME 04062.

Magicians Bid Farewell to Bob Nixon

Scot Grassette conducted the Broken Wand ceremony for Bob Nixon at a funeral home in Auburn on January 24. Members of Bob's family, and many of his friends, attended the ceremony. Magicians in attendance included Bernard Blais, Steve Cornish, Stan Davis, Alan Drew, Scot Grassette, Kaitlyn Grassette, B.J. Hickman, Dennis Labbe, Dan Link, Jeremie Remian, Jake Sasseville, Karen Seymour, Phil Smith, and Paul Szauter.

The wake and funeral were held the following day. Magicians in attendance included Peter Boie, Steve Cornish, Andrew Ferreira, Scot Grassette, Dennis Labbe, Mike Millet, Phil Smith, Angelique Steelgrave, Markus Almodarr Steelgrave, and Steve Steinbock.

A Broken Wand Ceremony for Bob Nixon will also be held at the Ring Banquet on March 9 at Jeff's Catering in Brewer.

Please see the Commemoration Page for Bob Nixon, which includes messages of condolence and many photos.