Title
Mr.
Last Name
Wiley
First Name
Clair
Middle Name
Albert
Maiden Name
Nick Name
Place of Birth
Dover, ME
Date of Birth
1918-07-22
Place of Death
Date of Death
2000-12
Publication
Courtesy of TheDailyME
Obituary
CLAIR ALBERT WILEY DEXTER, Clair Albert Wiley, Born July 22, 1918, in Dover, Maine to Guy and Mildred (Pratt) Wiley. His childhood was spent in his hometown of Dover. Excelling in sports, he graduated in 1939 from Foxcroft Academy. He was employed concurrently by the Rural Electrification Agency and the Central Maine Power Company until his entry into the Navy in August 1942. Clair served in both the Atlantic and Pacific theaters on two different aircraft carriers until October 1945. He attended several reunions of the USS Langley crew and enjoyed "shooting the breeze" with the ones present from his "E" Division: Page Broxson, Tische and too many names to recall. Although he always wanted to be a farmer, he returned to work for Central Maine Power Company, retiring after 42 years of service in 1981. Clair was a member of the Dexter United Methodist Church and a member and Past Master of the Penobscot Masonic Lodge A.F.&A.M. No. 39, Dexter, Maine; a member of the Royal Arch Masons in Dover-Foxcroft; St. John's Commandery in Bangor and Anah Temple Shrine in Bangor. He spent over twenty years on the Dexter Board of Selectmen and later the Dexter Town Council. He was a former Kiwanian and for many years assisted the Dexter Junior Chamber of Commerce with the installation of Christmas lights and other activities. Clair's first love was his family, including his wife and love of 57 years, Gertrude (Priest) Wiley. Clair enjoyed spending time on his son Leigh's farm, camping, watching his beloved Yankees, moose hunting with his friend John Bartosenski, and time spent with special friends Joy and Mac Stewart. He loved "Big Band Music", dancing and sharing time with the "Saturday Nighters" and the folks he met there. He was an avid reader of historical fiction. Other hobbies included gardening, daily walks with Gertrude, walking in the woods, "deer watching while hunting", and watching sports on television. Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Gertrude (Priest) Wiley; one daughter Candron Poulin and her husband Ty of Hermon, a son Brian and his wife Martha of Millinocket, and a son Leigh and his wife Edie of Sangerville. His grandchildren include Emily Rose and husband Benjamin of Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania; Andrea Robinson and husband James of Millinocket, and Ethan Wiley of Sangerville. He has a newly born great granddaughter Cassandra Meagan Rose. Survivors also include brothers: Robert Wiley of Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Clifford Wiley and Earl Wiley of Dover-Foxcroft; sisters: Carolyn Green and Kathryn Greene of Dover-Foxcroft and Marie Doore of Charleston, and numerous nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held 1-3 PM Saturday, December 30, 2000 at the Crosby & Neal Funeral Home, 61 Main St., Dexter with Masonic Rites at 1:30 PM. The funeral service will be Sunday, December 31, 2000 at 2 PM at the Dexter United Methodist Church with Rev. Lois Merrifield officiating and Pastor Herschel Hafford participating. Spring burial will be in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Dexter. Friends may make gifts in his memory to the Dexter United Methodist Church, c/o Connie Fortier, Treasurer, 59 Main Street, Dexter, ME 04930.