BOWDOINHAM – Ronald I. Bagley, 79, died Friday, Oct. 20, 2006, at home after courage-ously battling a long illness. He was born April 19, 1927, in Albion, son of Clive E. and Alice Tozier Bagley. He attended Albion schools and graduated from Bessie High School in 1945. On Nov. 16, 1946, he married Bernice Rood. They were married for 32 years before she died July 1978. After serving in the U.S. Navy, he worked on the family farm in Albion. Later he worked at the general store in Albion, and then went on to work construction, becoming a foreman for Lee Brothers Construction, Albion and then Farrin Brothers and Smith Construction, Brighton Plantation. In 1957, he returned to the family farm and went into the dairy industry with his father. They worked the dairy farm until 1965 when he became a food inspector for the Maine Department of Agriculture, where he worked until 1969. His greatest passion was his love for the Grange, a fraternal organization of which he had been a member for 65 years. He served in many capacities and held numerous offices in the Subordinate, Pomona and State Grange. He was also a 7th Degree member of the National Grange. In 1969, he was elected master of the Maine State Grange, a full-time position held along with his former wife, Bernice, who served as flora of the Maine State Grange from 1969 to 1977. Bernice was also lady assistant steward of the National Grange during this time. On June 16, 1979, he married Marian L. Cheney Blake in Bowdoinham. Together they purchased the Bowdoinham Country Store, which they operated until December 2002. In addition to his Grange membership and activities, in 1969 he became a member of Maine Trustee, Region One of the Eastern States Exposition and later became chairman. Mr. Bagley was also one of two members from Maine serving on the board of directors of the exposition. He served as selectman in the town of Albion and was member of the Maine Better Transportation Committee. He is a former member of the Albion Christian Church where he served as Sunday school superintendent. He was a member of the Second Baptist Church, Bowdoinham. One of the things his grandchildren and children will miss is his Christmas Eve recitation of “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” done several times over the telephone so each family could hear it. Ron was also well known to everyone for his great story telling ability. He always had a story or joke to share with everyone he met and had a chance to chat with. He was predeceased by a sister, Jean B. Porter of Mars Hill. He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Marian of Bowdoinham; two sons, Gregory D. Bagley and his wife, Harriet, of Patten and Robert C. Bagley and his wife, Cynthia, of Raymond; one stepson, Bruce Blake and his wife, Ruth of Emden; three stepdaughters, Susan R. Blake of Bath, Patricia B. Williams and her husband, Bob, of Brunswick and Holly J. Blake of North Haven Island; a brother, Edward F. Bagley and his wife, Esper, of Searsport; one sister, June B. Flye of Albion; 14 grandchildren, Beth Shiff, Becky and Ryan Bagley, Aaron and Jody Bagley, Amy and Luke Blake, Nathan and Michael Bernier, Emily and Ben Williams, Jamie, Jeremy and Justin Brown; and five great-grandchildren. Visiting hours will be 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23, at the Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Tuesday at the Second Baptist Church, Bowdoinham. Burial will be 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Maple Grove Cemetery, Albion. If desired, memorial contributions can be made in his memory to the Second Baptist Church, P.O. Box 87, Bowdoinham, ME 04008, or to the Parkview Adventist Medical Center, 329 Maine St., Brunswick, ME 04011. Condolences cam be expressed at www.brackettfuneralhome.com
RONALD I. BAGLEY
