BANGOR – Robert E. Kelley, 76, died Nov. 24, 2009, at a Bangor health care center after a brief battle with cancer. He was born March 28, 1933, in Bangor, son of Edward T. and Pauline I. (Ramsdell) Kelley. Robert served in the U.S. Army from 1956 to 1958 and worked hard throughout his life. He was self-employed operating a tree service business for many years and was a steeplejack. He worked for Mount Hope Cemetery and Maine Central Railroad, worked on the Alaskan pipeline and set utility poles throughout the state. He was also a lifelong outdoorsman and loved to fish. Surviving are five children, Robert W. Yatroussis of St. Clair, Mo., Debra Cater and her husband, Robert, of Homosassa, Fla., Robert E. Kelley Jr. of Westbrook, Wendy Clark and her friend, Stan Flagg, of Hudson, and Jeanette Noyes and her husband, Jeff, of North Stratford, N.H.; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren; one brother, David Kelley and his wife, Marguerite (Demmons), of Hermon; one sister, Joyce Buck of East Corinth; many nieces, nephews and friends. He was predeceased by his brother, James E. Kelley. Family and friends may visit 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28, at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union St., Bangor, where a service honoring Robert’s life will begin 1 p.m. with Pastor David Bean, of Beacon of Hope Church, Bangor, presiding. Burial with military honors will be afterward at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor. For those who wish, memorial contributions may be made to his family, care of Joyce Buck, 13 Manor Drive, #4, Corinth, ME 04427. Condolences may be offered at www.kileyandfoley.com.
ROBERT E. KELLEY ‘TREE MAN’
