Michael F. Conley

Michael Francis Conley, 86, of Sanford, passed away on Saturday April 22, 2006 at the Goodall Hospital in Sanford surrounded by his family. Michael was born in Portland on Febraury 20, 1920, the son of Michael and Kathleen (McMahon) Conley. He graduated from Cheverus High School, class of 1939. He served his country during WWII in the US Army Air Corps. He then worked at the South Portland Shipyard building Liberty Ships. He worked for New England Telephone Company for forty years in Portland and Sanford, retiring in 1982. He served as President of IBTW Local 7 and Past President of Telephone Pioneers of America.He was a communicant of St. Patrick's in Portland and Holy Family in Sanford where he enjoyed singing in the choirs. He was blessed with an Irish Tenor voice.He married Mary Rose Conley on September 4, 1943. He was totally devoted to his wife throughout their sixty year marriage until her death in 2003. Together they had eleven children. He was extremely proud of his children. He had a way of making each of his children and grandchildren feel special. Mike's life was centered around his family.He was predeceased by his parents, one brother, Thomas Conley and five sisters, Mary Cameron, Katherine Flaherty, Ruth Libby, Therese Cottle and Dorothy Conley. Also by his great grandson Aden Cyr.He is survived by his brother, John and his wife Donna Conley of South Portland. He will also be dearly missed by his eleven children, Mary Rose and her husband, Jim Folsom of Roque Bluffs, Dorothy and her husband, Gerald Lee of Hinsdale, IL, Michael Conley Jr., and his wife, Francie of Limerick, Thomas Conley and his wife, Elaine of Sanford, John Conley and his wife, Rhonda of Alfred, Stephen Conley and his wife, Julie of Shapleigh, Patricia and her husband, Peter Skillings of Durham, Kathleen and her husband, Charles Kuntz of Portland, Margaret and her husband, Arthur Allaire of North Berwick, Theresa and her husband, Robert Foster of Westbrook and Maureen Conley of Portsmouth, 13 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren, several cousins, nieces and nephews.Family and friends may visit at the Lafrance-Lambert & Black Funeral Home, 29 Winter Street in Sanford on Wednesday from 6-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 11am at Holy Family Catholic Church in Sanford. Burial will follow at St. Ignatius Cemetery.The family would like to express their appreciation for the loving care provided by the nursing and medical staff of Goodall Hospital and by the staff at The Pavilion.In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his memory to the Alzheimer's Association 163 Lancaster St., Suite 160B Portland, Maine 04101 or to the Boy's and Girl's Club.Condolences may be expressed by going to the "condolence" tab to the left.