BANGOR and BREWER – Shirley R. “Boogie” Gardner, 79, died June 16, 2009, at a local hospital after a long illness. He was born March 27, 1930, in Bar Harbor, the son of William and Onalee (Richards) Gardner. Shirley was a mason and owned his own business most of his life. He enjoyed NASCAR, football, boxing and especially cage fighting. He is survived by his better half of 28 years, Bette Brehm of Bangor; three sons, Robert Gardner of Brewer, Roger Gardner and Vicki Kelley of Glenburn, and Alex Brehm of Brewer; two brothers, Richard Gardner and his wife, Barbara, of Franklin, and Delbert Gardner and his wife, Kim, of Bath; six sisters, Loretta Crane of Oak Ridge, Tenn., Claribell and her husband, Bruce Regimeal, of Bar Harbor, Louise and her husband, Sid Emerson, of Ellsworth, Bonnie and her husband, Bart Tokas, also of Ellsworth, Beverly and her husband, Millard Billings, of Franklin, and Betty and her husband, Don Abbott, of Lakeland, Fla.; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins; and very good friends, Jay and Joan Osler, Warren and Tabitha Watson, Dean and Steve, just to name a few – thank you all. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by the mother of his children, Nora (Hitchcock) Gardner; two sons, John and Ralph Gardner; and two brothers, William and Ronnie Gardner. The family wishes to thank Dr. Michael Starks, Bangor Area Visiting Nurses and the staff of the Clason Intensive Care Unit at Eastern Maine Medical Center for their wonderful care and understanding. Graveside services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, June 23, at Mount Hope Cemetery with the Rev. Clayton Blackstone, pastor of Bangor Advent Christian Church, officiating. Family and friends are invited to meet 9:45 a.m. at the Superintendent’s Lodge, State Street entrance. The family invites relatives and friends to share conversation and refreshments after the service at Brookings-Smith Family Center, 163 Center St., Bangor. Gifts in his memory may be sent to a charity of your choice. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
SHIRLEY R. ‘BOOGIE’ GARDNER
