ROCHESTER, N.H., and BAN-GOR – “The party is over” for Robert Paul Mooney Sr., 73, son of the late Francis and Marjorie Mooney. He passed away peacefully June 15, 2007, at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital, Dover, N.H., with his daug-hter, Karen and her companion, Brian, at his side. He was born April 20, 1934, in Machias. He died from a brief bout of cancer. Bob had never been sick a day in his life to speak of. If he had to check out now, it was going to be on his terms! He finished all that he wanted to finish, including saying “Thank you” and “Good-bye” to all the wonderful RN’s and LNA’s who took care of him at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital. He received many cards, letters, phone calls and visits from friends and relatives telling him the impact he had on their lives. He was amazed at the outpouring of support he received until the very end. Everyone needs to know that he is in a much better place now. He would not want tears shed, but everyone to get together and celebrate the memories they have of him. While still in high school he ran his own Mobil service station. After Freyburg Academy, Class of 1953, he went on to begin his career in radio broad-casting. In his early years, the late 1950s, he managed some popular singing groups around the Bangor area, such as The Statics, Billy & the Seniors and Buddy & the 5 Buddies, to name a few. In his early DJ days, in the ’50s and ’60s, he was known for doing record hops throughout eastern Maine, places like the Crystal Ballroom, Dover-Foxcroft, Dexter Town Hall, many high schools and the Brewer auditoriums, as well as being a top radio personality. He was former general manager of “The Original” WGUY AM and FM radio stations in Bangor. Bob was responsible for leading the most successful Top Forty radio stations in eastern Maine, and the first to bring popular music to the FM dial. He was a true radio pioneer, his greatest moment in radio was turning on the switch to power up WGUY FM, Bangor’s first Top Forty radio station. Dozens of the most popular disc jockeys worked for him and he gave many young talented DJ’s their first job in radio. WGUY rivaled the sound of most major market radio stations. Throughout his radio career, Bob worked as the station engineer, sales manager and general manager. He was a true winner in Bangor radio. After retiring from WGUY Radio, he traveled and occasionally helped build/engineer many other radio stations throughout the country. He was very much involved with his family as well. He spent many years coaching Farm League and Little League with his oldest son, Robbie. He helped his late wife build her dream home on outer Union Street with her own business. Always encouraging his children to pursue their pleasures, when his children were young they would spend many weekends in Millinocket camping and just being together. Then as the kids grew and their activities sent them in many different directions he would try to split his time as equally as possible. He was a true family man. Bob was predeceased by his parents; his beloved sister, Elizabeth Hainer; his first wife, Judith; and his very dear friend, Frank Maheu. He is survived by his three wonderful children and four beautiful grandchildren, Robert P. Mooney Jr. and his wife, Janice and their children, Michelle E. and Morgan A. Mooney of Valencia, Calif., his daughter, Karen A. Mooney and her longtime companion, Brian E. Parker, of Rochester, N.H., his youngest son, Michael Clarey and his fianc?e, Kathy Matthews and their children, Brooke Marie and Nathan Robert Clarey of Bryant Pond; his favorite niece, Melinda Elizabeth and her husband, Senior Master Sgt. Leslie S. Ashe, U.S. Air Force, retired, of Gilby, N.D.; his great-niece, Amanda Lee Ashe and her husband, Troy Wagtaff and their son, Henry Evan of Bangor; his great-nephew, Robert Francis Charles Ashe of Moorhead, Minn. He also leaves behind two lovely ex-wives; his traveling companion, “Marty”; and his best friend, Neal Chamberlain of Fort Myers, Fla. Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-8 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor, where funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, June 22. Interment will be at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. A gathering to celebrate Bob’s life will be held 3-5 p.m. Friday, June 22, at Raena’s Pub, 14 Larkin St., corner of Main Street, Bangor. Donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, One Main St., Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086 or Wentworth Homecare & Hospice, 113 New Rochester Road, Suite 4, Dover, N.H. 03820-8805.
ROBERT PAUL MOONEY SR.
