PITTSTON – Duane Alliston ‘Al’ Cropley, 67, died July 8, 2010, at his home. He was born Nov. 3, 1942, in Brewer, son of Philip A. and Phoebe (Darke) Cropley. He was educated in Gardiner elementary schools and graduated from Maine Central Institute, Pittsfield. He graduated from the University of Maine earning a Bachelor of Science degree in education, where he was a member of the ROTC. He was a U.S. Army second lieutenant, serving in the military police in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1966. Duane enjoyed his memberships in Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks and American Legion Smith-Wiley Post No. 4, Gardiner. He was employed as a sales associate at Bill Dodge Auto Group, Brunswick, at the time of his retirement in 2007. He loved auto racing and was an avid racing fan. He is survived by one brother, Ronald Cropley and wife, Janet, of Troy; niece, Cheryl Cropley Evans and husband, Keith, of Lakeland, Minn.; nephews, Alan Cropley and friend, Penny Wouters, of Knoxville, Tenn., and Aaron Cropley and friend, Kim Gielda, of Topsham; three great-nieces, Charissa Cropley of Dayton, Ohio, Sarah and Mariah Cropley of Topsham; several aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by his parents. At Duane’s request, there will be no funeral service or visiting hours. Graveside services with military honors will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, July 15, at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 163 Mount Vernon Road, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Kennebec Valley Humane Society, 10 Pet Haven Lane, Augusta, ME 04330. Arrangements are by Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.
DUANE ‘AL’ CROPLEY
