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, after a brief illness. He was born Oct. 17, 1914, in Fort Fairfield, the son of Frederick A. and Claire (Rowe) Haley. He was a graduate of Fort Fairfield High School, Class of 1932 and was married to Rita L. Hill, Nov. 24, 1934. Bud spent his entire life working with potatoes until his retirement at age 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 every day. One of Bud’s hobbies was raising, and racing horses and he enjoyed many years of competing at all the fairs. He was a member of the former Frontier Masonic Lodge, Fort Fairfield and Anah Temple Shrine. In addition to his parents, Bud was predeceased by his wife, Rita, Jan. 18, 2004; one sister, Freda E. Pye; and 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, Fla., and Gloria Kilcollins of Fort Fairfield; eight grandchildren, Tracy Trimm of Tampa, Fla., Trina Stidt and her husband, John, of Jensen Beach, Fla., Peter LeVasseur and his wife, Donna, of Titusville, Fla., 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, and Shawn Haley of Ashland; 16 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him. Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Thursday, March 19, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a funeral service will be conducted 1 p.m. Friday, March 20, with Asa Cook officiating. Interment will take place later in the spring at Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held immediately after the funeral service at VFW Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Mr. Haley to Aroostook Health Center, P.O. Box 410, Mars Hill, ME 04758, to be used in their patient activities department. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
RALPH E. ‘BUD’ HALEY
