DIXMONT – Bernard L. Braley, 66, died peacefully Thursday, June 14, 2012, at Maine General Medical Center with his wife by his side. He was born April 27, 1946, in Bangor, son of the late Willis and Marie (Waning) Braley.
Bernard was a member of Carpenters & Millwright Local 621 until he was unable to work in the mid ’80s, he ran his own garage and body shop, B&S Repair, for several years. He was also proud of the fact that he was a deputized town constable and chief of police for several years for the town of Dixmont. Bernard was a member of Archon Lodge No. 75, AF & AM, a member of American Legion Post 201, and was a past scoutmaster for Troop 310, Dixmont. He loved hunting and fishing and many an embellished story was told of his escapades. He and his wife spent many winters in Florida, and he got great enjoyment out of teaching the elderly how to operate and repair their computers. Bernard carried on in his father’s footsteps and hosted every fall, Braley’s Bean Hole Beans since 2002. He will be remembered for his sense of humor, he was quite a character and loved to tease, and his many stories by all who knew him.
Bernard is survived by his wife of 46 years, Patricia (Booker) Braley; and their children: daughter, Patricia “Tish” Oakes, and son, Shawn Braley, all of Dixmont; four grandchildren, Ashley and Christin Dorr, Chelsea and Tucker Braley; three great-grandchildren, Ayden Wentworth, Landon and Emilee Chapman; three brothers, David Braley and wife, Lois, of Dixmont, Stephen Braley and wife, Sue, of Fort McCoy, Fla., and Rodney Braley and wife, Roberta, of Dixmont; father and mother-in-law, Hollis and Eilene Booker of Clinton; and his loyal companion and best friend, LilyMae, his dog. He was predeceased by his parents.
A graveside Masonic service celebrating Bernard’s life will be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at Dixmont Corner Cemetery, Route 9, Dixmont. A gathering will be held at his home after services. Please come and share memories, tears and laughter with his family and many friends. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to Autism Society or to a charity of your choice. Care has been provided by Shorey-Nichols Funeral Home, Pittsfield. To leave a message of kindness for the family, please visit
www.shoreynichols.com.
“His weary hours and
days of pain, His troubled nights are past, In our aching hearts we know, He has
found sweet rest at last.”