ASHLAND, Maine — Irvin J. Tilley Sr., 85, passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2017, at the Eastern Maine Medical Center, Bangor, due to injuries he sustained in an auto accident. He was born December 28, 1931, in Fort Fairfield, the son of the late Harrison and Elsie (Howland) Tilley Sr. Due to the death of his father at a young age, his mother was unable to care for the large family causing the family to be split up. Irvin was raised by Mable and Granville Hawksley of Ashland, Maine.
He enlisted with the US Army during the Korean War, Infantry Division, received his Honorable Discharge in 1952, and was a long-time member of the VFW. Irvin owned and operated a little country store “Hilltop Market” in the Frenchville section of Ashland and married his loving wife Theresa Paradis in 1954. He loved playing his guitar, sitting around with many who stopped in for “Happy Hour”, great conversations, and laughs.
He is survived by: seven sons, Irvin Jr. and his wife Cheryl of Vernon, CT, David of Ashland, Gerald and his wife Vickie of Ashland, Tony of Port Isabel, TX, Tim and his wife Peggy of Vernon, CT, Jeff and his wife Rita of Ashland and John and his wife Melanie of Ashland; two brothers, Joel of California and Harrison of Pennsylvania; 14 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Besides his parents, Irvin was predeceased by his beloved wife, Theresa (Paradis) Tilley in 2013, his siblings, George, James, Alton, Verna, and Lorraine, and a daughter-in-law, Marie.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family 1-3:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 8, 2017, at Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m. at the funeral home, with Pastor Bill Harris officiating. Interment will be in Maine Veterans Cemetery, Caribou. To share condolences online, please visit www.LajoieFuneralHome.com
