Haley, Ralph E., 94, Fort Fairfield, in Mars Hill, March 16, 2009. Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, later in the spring. Arrangements are in the care of the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield.
Fort Fairfield – Ralph E. “Bud” Haley, 94, husband of the late Rita L. (Hill) Haley, passed away Monday evening, March 16, 2009, at a Mars Hill nursing facility, following a brief illness. He was born October 17, 1914, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Frederick A. and Claire (Rowe) Haley.
He was a graduate of the Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1932, and was married to Rita L. Hill on November 24, 1934. Bud spent his entire life working with potatoes until his retirement at the age of 85. One of his greatest pleasures was visiting farmers in the County with his wife Rita, buying potatoes for Maine Farmers Exchange (MFX) and seeing how many miles he could travel everyday. One of Bud’s hobbies was raising and racing horses and enjoyed many years of competing at all the fairs. He was a member of the former Frontier Masonic Lodge, Fort Fairfield, the Trinity Lodge Number 30, AF & AM, Presque Isle, and the Annah Temple Shrine.
In addition to his parents, Bud was predeceased by his wife Rita on January 18, 2004; one daughter, Patricia A. (Haley) Lee on June 12, 1999; one sister, Freda E. Pye; two sons-in-law, Beuford Gill and Richard Kilcollins. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Betty Haley of Masardis; two daughters, Claire Gill of Port St. Lucie, FL, Gloria Kilcollins of Fort Fairfield; one sister, Alice Barner of Bangor; eight grandchildren, Tracy Trimm of Tampa, FL, Trina Stidt and her husband John of Jensen Beach, FL, Peter LeVasseur and his wife Donna of Titusville, FL, Nathan Trimm of Trenton, Philip Kilcollins and his wife Tammy, Robert Kilcollins and his wife Jane, all of Fort Fairfield, Fred Haley Jr. and his wife Jessica of Mapleton, Shawn Haley of Ashland; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Friends called Thursday, March 19, 2009, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield where Masonic memorial service was conducted at 7:45 p.m. by the officers and members of the Trinity Masonic Lodge Number 30, AF & AM, Presque Isle. The funeral service was conducted Friday, March 20, 2009 at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Asa Cook officiating. Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, later in the spring. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments was held at the VFW Paul Lockhart Post Number 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield, immediately following the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mr. Haley to the Aroostook Health Center, P.O. Box 410, Mars Hill, 04758, to be used in their patient activities department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
