PRINCETON – Lonny Cilley passed away June 24, 2012, with his loving family at his side after a brief illness at a Bangor hospital.
Lonny graduated from Princeton High School, class of 1965 and went to work for his grandfather, Moses Cilley the day after he graduated. He worked for Pitney Bowes in Connecticut for a year and returned to Princeton, married Jane Kadey and started their family. He went to work for Georgia Pacific in the woodroom. Lonny later decided to go into business for himself in Princeton where he owned a gas station and convenience store. He took a brief break from this business and then added a car wash after this break. He continued to run a used car business at the same location. Lonny was an avid hunter and fisherman, who enjoyed many hours with his family and friends showing them the Lonny way of putting food on the table. He had a lot of experience in the outdoors and he had many tales about his outdoor adventures. He was proud of being a master Maine guide. An avid basketball fan, Lonny spent a lot of time watching his two sons play and coach. In 2003, his life was forever changed with the birth of his grandson, Ryley. He was very involved in Ryley’s daily activities, and spent many hours telling his friends and family Ryley stories. He closely followed Ryley’s school activities, dropping him to school each morning and was extremely proud of all of Ryley’s activities. He was extremely proud of Ryley carrying on the family basketball tradition. They recently shared a special fishing trip to the Allagash where he took him to see the trains at Chamberlain Lake. Ryley was the light of “Papa’s” life!
Lonny was predeceased by his father, Allard; and brothers, Allard and Perry. Lonny is survived by his best friend and soulmate, Joanna Hamilton of Princeton; sons, Troy of Princeton and Ryan of Ellsworth; mother, Carolyn Cilley of Princeton; brothers, Steven and wife, Cathy Cilley, of Princeton, Craig and wife, Kim, of Waite, and Butch of Princeton; and sisters, Tina Laney and husband, Don, of Princeton, and Lois Farrell and husband, John, of Plantation 21; and his large extended family. He is also survived by Moses Cilley, who he considered a brother and his wife, Susan, of Princeton; his close friends, Peter Shay of Danforth and Gary Santerre of Grand Lake Stream; and his favorite first cousin, Jill Fullerton and husband, Teddy, of China, Maine. He also leaves behind aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.
Services will be held 2 p.m. Thursday, June 28, at Princeton Rod and Gun Club with Dana Kadey officiating.