FARMINGTON — Robert Elmer Brackley, 79, passed away on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at Franklin Memorial Hospital in Farmington. He was born on Sept. 9, 1938, in Strong, the son of Elmer and Elteene (Dill) Brackley. Bob was educated in the schools of Strong and graduated from Strong High School in the Class of 1956.

On Sept. 19, 1959, he married Kathleen “Kay” Cushman at the Strong Methodist Church. Over the years, he was self-employed as a dairy farmer, worked at Pratt’s Equipment (later Murray’s Equipment) and delivered the Lewiston Sun Journal newspaper for 25 years. He was a member of the Strong United Methodist Church. Bob was an avid gardener, which was his passion. He enjoyed working on farm machinery — especially on the hay balers, being known to many as the “Baler man,” and was considered to be one of the best in the state at repairing them. Bob loved his little toy poodle dogs.

Bob is survived by his wife of 58 years, Kay Brackley, of Strong; his daughter, Gayle White and husband, Ron of Milo and Strong; his sons, David Brackley of Strong, Daniel Brackley and wife, Pamela of Whiteville, N.C., and Robert Brackley Jr. and wife, Susan of Angier, N.C.; his sister, Virginia Peccirillo and husband, Vito of Shirley, Mass.; 24 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

Robert E. Brackley