1953 – 2016

AUBURN — Gary Brian Haley, 63, passed peacefully to be with the Lord, Thursday, Sept. 15, at his home in Auburn, surrounded by his loving family.

Gary was born March 28, 1953, in Rumford to Stephen Haley and Ruth Boulter Haley. He lived in Farmington for most of his childhood, then moved to the Lewiston/Auburn area. He graduated from Edward Little High School in 1972. He attended Central Maine Vocational Technical Institute and graduated in 1974. He worked at the Lewiston Auburn Water Pollution Control Authority for 32 years.

He married his sweetheart, Linda Verna Bowen, on Dec. 5, 1981. He lived with Linda at 190 Pownal Road, Auburn, for 32 years, where he established a beautiful home, which he was extremely grateful for and proud of. Gary enjoyed playing softball and going to “the pits” with his buddies in his “younger” years.

He was an active member of the Kora Shriners, the Masons and the Mid Maine Lewiston Chapter Harley Owners Group for several years. He had a love for motorcycles and enjoyed going for lots of rides on the many bikes he owned, especially Harleys. He was a drummer and sat in for bands to play on numerous occasions. He also enjoyed singing, and often would do karaoke and everyone enjoyed hearing his voice. Gary loved his stereo system and his classic rock and alternative music; he could sing along to any song, even if it meant making up his own words/songs, which he was famous for.

He very much enjoyed watching his children and godchildren play sports growing up, and was very proud of them for all of their accomplishments through life; big or small. He also enjoyed watching his granddaughter play t-ball and talked highly of what a great ballplayer she was and was going to be. His granddaughter Paityn was his pride and joy and he enjoyed every moment with her and always loved telling everyone about her. Gary loved children and assisted his wife in her home childcare for the past 31 years whenever he could. He genuinely loved all the children that came through the childcare and loved having them sit up in his chair with him. He was “Papa” to all the kids.

Gary loved the Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins all of his life and looked forward to watching every game as well as telling stories of going to Fenway. He also loved to watch NASCAR racing and was a huge fan of Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Jr. He collected lots of sports memorabilia and sports cards throughout his life and recently collected coins. Gary was a very bright, honest, generous, respectable, appreciative, loving and gentle man.

He will be greatly missed by all, and will always be remembered and will live on through all of us. Rock on in Heaven!

He is survived by his wife, Linda Haley “forever and always”; son, Shane Haley and girlfriend, Michelle Badger; daughter, Sheena Haley and partner, Amy St.Pierre; granddaughter, Paityn Haley-St.Pierre; godchildren, Sara Younk, Cora Younk and Katreena Meserve; in-laws, Robert and Shirley Bowen (“mama” and “dad”); brothers, Mark Haley, Robert Haley and wife, Elaine; sisters, Joyce Cote and Janice Haley; a special “adopted daughter,” Desiree Wuthenow; special family friends, Wendy and Bryan Younk; and many nieces and nephews who he loved dearly.

He was predeceased by his parents, Stephen Haley and Ruth Boulter Haley; and brothers, David Haley and Paul Haley Sr.

Condolences, donations and a video tribute may be found online at www.albert-burpee.com.