RANDOLPH – The Rev. Gary Russell Akeley passed away Aug. 4, 2011. He was born Nov. 4, 1951, in Presque Isle, to Russell Joseph Akeley and Marilyn Morin Akeley.
He attended schools in Fort Fairfield and graduated from Fort Fairfield High School in 1970. He attended the University of Maine at Presque Isle, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. In November 1974, Gary married the love of his life, Bonny Joyce Kinney. Their son, Steven Gary Akeley was born May 27, 1979. Gary followed his heart and answered the call to minister to others in 1984 and attended Bangor Theological Seminary, emerging in 1988 with his Masters of Theology degree and was ordained as a deacon in the United Methodist Church. In 1990 he became an elder in the church. Gary served the communities of Pembroke, Columbia Falls, Orrington, Strong, Salem, Westbrook, South Portland, Randolph and East Pittston. Gary touched the lives of people all throughout New England and beyond. A simple word, a smile, a prayer, a hand to hold – Gary was there for anyone who needed him. At the end of his life, these people were there for him and his family.
Gary is survived by his wife, Bonny; his son, Steven and his wife, Julie; and his three beloved granddaughters, Lilly, Emeline and Katherine. Gary is also survived by his mother, Marilyn Morin Akeley; sisters, Donna Marie Fraser and Kimberly Akeley-Charron. He was predeceased by his father, Russell Joseph; his grandfather, Joseph Barton Akeley; and his grandmothers, Della Merritt Akeley and Leona Lovering Morin.
A memorial service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6, at Randolph United Methodist Church. Committal services will be held 4 p.m. Monday, Aug. 8, in the family lot at Fairmont Cemetery, Presque Isle. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the Parsonage Repair Fund, 1 Asbury St., Randolph, ME 04346 or the Akeley Scholarship Fund, care of Aroostook Savings & Loan, High Street, Caribou, ME 04736, attention: Debbie Barnes. Arrangements are under the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Ave., Gardiner.