CAMDEN – Archibald Kenneth Bailey, 90, died Sunday, May 6, 2012. Born Jan. 5, 1922, in Victoria, British Columbia, he was the son of Edward Samuel and Anne (Millar) Bailey.
In 1940 he graduated from high school in Regina, Saskatchewan, then served six years as a squadron leader with the Royal Canadian Air Force, surviving two plane crashes. After his discharge from the military he worked as an air traffic controller in Moncton, New Brunswick. In 1948 he met Isabel Payson from Camden while she was vacationing in New Brunswick. At a picnic with mutual friends in Moncton, New Brunswick, Archie and Isabel took a ride in a rumble seat and they were married Nov. 11, 1948, in Camden. In 1951 they moved to Camden and Archie went to work for his father-in-law at Hodgman’s Footwear Store. Archie later owned and operated Hodgman’s Footwear, Main Street, for many years. He was a member of Camden Lions Club, former board member and president of Camden District Nursing Association, former board member of Camden YMCA, and he also served on several committees for the town of Camden. On July 14, 1994, Archie became a naturalized citizen of the United States.
Surviving is his wife, Isabel Bailey of Camden; two sons, Kenneth Bailey and his wife, Sandra, of Hope and Robert Bailey and his wife, Ronda, of Covington, Wash.; a brother-in-law, Maurice Payson Jr. and his wife, Marjorie, of Rockville; three grandchildren, Aaron Bailey and his wife, Jessica, of Brunswick, Michelle Ridlon and her husband, Todd, of Topsham and Jessica Bailey of Covington, Wash.; great-grandchildren, Madison, Gavin and Tripp Bailey, and Zackary and Griffin Ridlon; nephew, Michael Payson and his wife, Anita; niece, Marilyn Payson, all of Rockville; and three great-nephews.
Calling hours will be held 5-7 p.m. Saturday, May 12, at Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden. Interment will be held in the summer at Mountain View Cemetery at the convenience of the family. If desired, memorial donations may be made to Camden District Nursing Association, P.O. Box 547, Camden, ME 04843. Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home, 9 Mountain St., Camden. Condolences and memories may be shared with the Bailey family by visiting their Book of Memories at
www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.