GUILFORD – Larry E. Conley, 84, longtime resident of Guilford, passed away early Tuesday morning, July 17, 2012, at Hibbard Nursing Home, Dover-Foxcroft, after several years of declining health battling Parkinson’s with complications from a recently discovered cancer. Larry was born Feb. 10, 1928, in Monson, son of Charlie and Elvie (Smith) Conley.
Larry’s mother died in an automobile accident when he was just 2 years old. From that time on, he lived with his very special uncle, John; and grandmother, Laura Conley. After graduating from Guilford High School in 1947, he married his high school sweetheart, Ruth E. Gorman, Sept. 3, 1947. For most of his adult life, he was employed by Hardwood Products Co. of Guilford. Larry was a past president of Guilford High School PCHS Alumni Association. Sports and sporting events were his passion. In high school and his young adult years he played baseball and basketball on the school and town teams. Later and into his senior years he was well known around the state on the candlepin bowling circuit, being considered among the best in state and winning many trophies. He participated in several TV matches and did commentary for radio and TV stations. A fan of harness racing, in the summer he could be seen following the Maine fair circuit. He really enjoyed his association with the many friends he made throughout the years at the many sporting events. As an avid sports fan, Larry was particularly loyal to UMO girls basketball, UMO baseball, the Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, NASCAR and Tiger Woods. Larry could often be seen at local games following the sports careers of the children and grandchildren of local friends and neighbors as well as the games of his own great-grandchildren. During his retirement years, he enjoyed doing many Cyr bus trips around the U.S. and Canada, and especially enjoyed bus hosts Roger and Polly, and hosts Dave and Evie.
In addition to his wife of 64 years, Larry is survived by a very special daughter, Susie and her husband, Ted Grant, of Dover-Foxcroft; four granddaughters, Sheila Chenevert and her companion, David Bartlett, of Fairfield, Cathy and her husband, Greg Curry, of Dover-Foxcroft, Christy and Mike Carey of Milo and Kandi and her husband, Brent Martin, of Dover-Foxcroft; grandson, David Grant of Mount Desert; and great-grandchildren, Travis Chenevert and his fiancee, Mallorie Blakney, of Winslow, Ryan, Beth and Tyler Chenevert, all of Fairfield, Tyler Bartlett of Fairfield, Macy and Mitchell Carey of Milo, Brooks Carey of Scarborough, Ashlynn Curry of Dover-Foxcroft, and Logan and Lauren Martin of Dover-Foxcroft. He is also survived by two sisters, Viola Woodard of Monson and Priscilla Tucker of Sangerville; one brother, Charles “Sonny” Conley of Bedford, Mass.; and brother-in-law, James “Bud” Gorman and his wife, Kathy, of Delaware. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including several special Bennett nieces and nephews. Larry was predeceased by four brothers, Thornton, Lloyd and Eddy Bennett and Kenny Conley.
A memorial service will take place Friday, July 20, with visitation 11 a.m. and service noon at Abbot Evangelical Free Church, Abbot Village, with Pastor Ray Beless officiating.
Burial will be afterward at Lawn Cemetery, Guilford. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Abbot Evangelical Free Church, P.O. Box 131, Abbot, ME 04406 or Maine Parkinson Society. Preaddressed donation envelopes will be available at the service. Arrangements by Crosby & Neal, Guilford. For an online guest register, go to
www.CrosbyNeal.com.