LEWISTON — Merle Newton Braley Jr. of Livermore passed away peacefully in his sleep at St. Mary’s d’Youville Pavilion on Monday, April 10, after a short illness.

He was born June 7, 1928, to Merle Braley and May Belle Clement of Belfast.

Merle married the love of his life, Shirley Lorraine Underhill, on May 14, 1949. He was a loyal and devoted husband for their 68 years of marriage. You would not see Merle without Shirley by his side. A true love that endured to the end and forever. Two children were born of their union, Sharon Braley Sylvester of Winthrop and Merle Braley III of Chapel Hill, N.C.

Merle worked as a lumberman in his youth and later went to work for the poultry companies of Hillcrest, Maine Egg and DeCoster Egg Farms. He then assisted his wife, Shirley, for many years doing Friendly Home parties in the central Maine area. Shirley would demonstrate the items and Merle would provide the entertainment just by being himself. He was the “life of the party” no matter where he went and what he was doing. Merle loved making people laugh and the world was his stage. Many friends were made just by him being his humorous self. A stranger was a friend that he had not met yet.

Merle was a member of the Masons, King David Lodge No. 62, in Lincolnville for 53 years. Merle and Shirley spent many years being “snow birds” by traveling to Bonita Springs, Fla., where they had a winter home. Living in Florida during the winter months provided a never-ending source of joy for him by making friends and soaking up the warm weather. Merle and Shirley loved to square dance and go shelling on the beaches of Florida. Merle was always planning his next adventure. Even during his last days, his plan was to go back to Florida. Merle and Shirley also enjoyed many years of camping during the summer months in Maine.

Merle is survived by his wife, Shirley; daughter, Sharon Braley Sylvester of Winthrop; son, Merle Braley III and his wife, Shirley Braley, of Chapel Hill, N.C.; granddaughter, Lori Sylvester of Dover, N.H.; grandson, Chad Braley Sylvester and his wife, Sherri Howes Sylvester, of Auburn; granddaughter, Elizabeth Adams and her husband, Jim Adams, of Placentia, Calif.; grandson, Eli Braley of Pembroke, N.H.; grandson, Timothy McKernan of Concord, N.H.; great-grandchildren: Mackenzie Sylvester, Makayla Estes and McKenna Sylvester of Auburn and Emma Adams and Phillip Adams of Placentia, Calif.

He was predeceased by his grandson, Nicholas Braley, of Mission Viejo, Calif.

Merle N. Braley Jr.

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