Arland "Al" R. Cropley Obituary (1930 - 2022)

Arland “Al” Raye Cropley, 91 passed away peacefully on June 18, 2022 at his home surrounded by his children. Arland (Al) was born in Vanceboro, Me. in 1930 but lived in many places. 1931-1938; North Bancroft, Me. 1939; Clifton, Me. 1940; East Eddington, Me. 1941; Brewer, Me. 1942-1946; Winn, Me. 1946-1947; Lincoln, Me. 1948-1950; Bangor, Me. December 1950-December 1954; United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command. 1955; Ledgewood, New Jersey. 1956; Hartford, Ct.1957-1964; Overhill Drive, Suffield, Ct. 1965-1970; Main St., Skowhegan, Me. 1971-1976; Riverside Drive, Vernon, Ct. 1977 to present Court St., Skowhegan, Me. He owned 4 different homes and a cottage on Sibley Pond in Canaan, Me. He graduated from Mattanawcook Academy, Lincoln, Me. While in the Air Force, during the Korean War, he went to Remote Control Turret Mechanic-Gunnery School and was a gunner on B-29 & B-50 medium bombers. After discharge he went to Heating and Oil Burner school at Lincoln Technical Institute, Newark, N.J. While there, he worked 3 Months in New York City, West 29th St. (the garment district). In 1956 attended Pratt & Whitney Machine Training School, Hartford, Ct. and 1958-59, 2 years of Sheetmetal Drafting at A. I. Prince Technical School, Hartford, Ct. He belonged to The Sheetmetal Workers Union, Local # 40, Hartford, Ct. Al owned his own sheetmetal business in Skowhegan, Me., and owned a home at 106 Main Street from 1965 to 1970. Al and Lorraine returned to Connecticut in 1970. He worked for a friend who had just started his own sheetmetal business, as a draftsman and job supervisor. They lived in Vernon Connecticut until 1977. At that time they returned to Skowhegan, Me. In 1978 they bought a home at 55 Court Street. He worked for Keyes Fiber Company in Waterville, Me. where he belonged to the Papermakers Union Local # 449.. After 18 years as a millwright he retired in 1995. One lucky day in 1956, while attending school at Pratt & Whitney Machine Training School In Hartford, a classmate of his introduced him to a pretty young girl who worked with his wife at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft Co. in East Hartford, Ct. After a one year courtship, they were married at the Lutheran Church in Manchester, Ct. They had a lovely marriage that produced five wonderful children. Al is predeceased by his wife Lorraine Shirley (Rauchle) Cropley and his parents Harold and Thelma Cropley. He is survived by his daughter Jo-Ann and husband Shawn and grandson Jack Cavanaugh of Shapleigh, ME. Son Bob and wife Kathy and grandson Griffen Cropley of Scarborough, ME. Son Andy and wife Janet of Romance AR and grandchild Steven Cropley and great-grandson Talon of Ward AR, Granddaughter Heather and her husband Charlie Olsen and great-granddaughter Haylee Price of Goodyear Arizona. Son Chris and grandson Matt Cropley of Glendale, AZ. Daughter Patty Cropley and fiance Mike Pion and granddaughter Loral Pion of Norridgewock, ME. His brothers Gene Cropley, Ora Cropley, and Norman Cropley and numerous nieces and nephews. A special friend Joanne Moody. We would like to thank Dr Lambke, nurses and staff at Skowhegan Family Medicine and Dr Protos office, and Maine General Hospice for all the wonderful care they provided to Al. To all the people who brought food, stopped in to say hi, and mowed the lawn thank-you. Friends wishing may make donations in his memory to Skowhegan Free Public Library, 9 Elm St Skowhegan Me. Al loved to read.