Robert Forest Cooley, 88, a life-long resident of Harmony, went home to be with the Lord on July 19, 2016, surrounded by many of his loving family. Forest was born July 5, 1928, in Hartland, to Arthur and Bertie Cooley.
He attended schools in Harmony and had worked at several area shoe factories and at Fay Scott/Landis Machine Shop in Dexter before his retirement in 1990.
He was an avid sportsman, enjoying hunting and fishing whenever he had the time. After his retirement he would travel to Second West Branch Pond to fly fish with family and friends. He enjoyed the other ponds in the Kokadjo area, but Second West Branch was his favorite. Forest met and became fast friends with many people who shared his love of fishing. His passion was fly fishing and he spent free time tying flies, always sharing a good one with his fishing companions.
Forest was predeceased by his siblings, Gladys (Cooley) Patenaude, Elwin Cooley, Edrie (Cooley) Moore, Laverna (Cooley) Kimball, and Marvis (Cooley) Ricker; and his loving wife of 63 years, Charlene (Dore) Cooley. Together they raised six children, Sharon (Cooley) McKenney and her husband, Peter, Robert J. Cooley and his wife, Brenda, Leonard Cooley and his wife, Anita, Jeffrey Cooley and his wife, Linda, Reginald Cooley and his wife, Beth, and Mark Cooley. He has 12 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren, who all enjoyed time with “Grampy”. Forest leaves a sister-in-law, Ellen Dore, and many nieces, nephews, neighbors and friends. He will be missed by his loyal dog, Sidney.
The family extends a special thank you to the staff at the Dialysis Clinic and at Cedar Ridge Center in Skowhegan for the compassionate care Forest received while he was a resident there.
A graveside memorial service will be conducted 10am Saturday, August 13, 2016, at Chadbourne Cemetery, Harmony, with Pastor Henry Thibodaux officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of choice. Arrangements are in the care of the Lary Funeral Home, Guilford. Condolences and memories may be expressed at www.laryfuneralhome.com.