SKOWHEGAN – Edward J. Conley Jr., 79, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2012, surrounded by his loving family at Glen Ridge Nursing Home, Augusta, after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Ed was born Oct. 14, 1932, in Bangor, the only child of Edward and Mary (McCormack) Conley.
He graduated from John Bapst High School in 1951 and he then served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955. He attended Husson College after serving in the U.S. Army. On June 2, 1956, Ed married the love of his life, June Brooks of Orono. They later moved to Skowhegan, where he worked as an administrative assistant for the Maine Army National Guard until retiring in 1992. He was also employed by many grocery stores, retiring from Hannaford Brothers in 2009. Ed loved his community and served on many civic committees. He served as town selectman and chaired the board for several years; he was a member of the board of assessors, the cemetery committee and the planning board. Ed was a member of the Madison/ Skowhegan Fraternal Order of Elks, an honorary member of Knight of Columbus and a past member of the Lions Club. Ed enjoyed his coffee time at McDonald’s, breakfast with the Loon Cove gang, playing golf, reading, and wintering in Florida and Myrtle Beach, S.C. He and June enjoyed traveling – one of their trips was to visit his homeland of Ireland. He was an avid sports fan, Notre Dame football being his favorite team. Ed took much delight in sharing the activities of his children and grandchildren. Ed was very proud of their accomplishments and tried to attend their most important events.
Ed is survived by his loving wife of 55 years, June of Skowhegan; his children, Timothy John Conley and his wife, Melissa, and their children, Matthew and Elizabeth, of Yorktown, Va., James Michael Conley and his wife, Jodie, and their children, William and Samuel, of Kingston, Mass., Jeannie Marie Conley of Skowhegan and Julie Anne True and her husband, Jarrod, and children, Michael, Danielle and Sarah, of Cornville. Though Ed was an only child, he adopted June’s family as his own. They include sisters-in-law, Joan LeBretton of Old Town, Ruth Deschane and her husband, George, of Maine and Florida, Jean Wetherall of New Jersey, Avis Cote of Veazie, Jan Brooks of Sanford and Pauline Brooks of Florida; brothers-in-law, Robert Brooks and his wife, Gloria, of Deer Isle, David Brooks and his wife, Edith, of Toddy Pond and Dick Mellerup of Bangor; several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Ed was predeceased by his brothers-in-law, William Brooks, Ernest Brooks, Seth Wetherall, John Conners, O’Neil LeBretton; and his sisters-in-law, Mary Conners and Louise Mellerup. Ed’s family expresses their gratitude to Dr. Oto Prokop and his staff for the care during the early stages of his disease. A special thank you goes to Mike Kay and Kathy Lees at Redington Fairview General Hospital for treating Ed with dignity and carefully choosing the perfect place for him to spend his final months. We will never forget Dr. Nathan Harmon and the entire staff of angels at Glenridge Nursing Home for the loving care and compassion shown to Ed and his entire family. You epitomize the true meaning of geriatric care and for this we thank you.
Visiting hours will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 24, at Smart & Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at Notre Dame de Lourdes Catholic Church, Water Street, Skowhegan. A burial will be held in the spring at Calvary Cemetery, Skowhegan. Donations may be made in Ed’s memory to Skowhegan Free Public Library, 9 Elm St., Skowhegan, ME 04976 or Town of Skowhegan Fuel Assistance Fund, 225 Water St., Skowhegan, ME 04976.