GRAND LAKE STREAM — Harry Wellington Bailey, 73, passed away June 11, 2014, at a Bangor hospital with his family by his side. Harry was born in Princeton on April 24, 1941, son of the late Frank and Ruth (Penney) Bailey.

He graduated from Princeton High School, Class of 1959, and entered the United States Air Force. After his service, Harry returned home to care for his parents and worked for Dead River Mill in Princeton. On Dec. 22, 1962, he married Sandra Williams and they soon relocated to Connecticut, where he worked for Pratt & Whitney Aircraft.

In 1966, Harry started his career with the Maine State Police, graduating from the 24th Maine State Police Training Troop at Camp Keyes. His first assignment was with Troop D in Thomaston. Harry and Sandra purchased a 200-acre farm in Belmont, where they helped rescue injured wildlife. He was promoted to corporal in 1973 and sergeant in 1977, and received the Meritorious Service Award from the Maine State Police in 1978. While employed with the Maine State Police, Harry became the supervisor for an elite, multi-state Federal DEA anti-drug smuggling task force. Harry and his unit were instrumental in cracking the Minning and Frapier drug case, approximately 600 successful prosecutions, seizure of tons of illegal narcotics, and $3 million in asset seizures. For his work with this unit, Harry received the Sons of the American Revolution Law Enforcement Commendation, and in 1985 he received the Outstanding Sergeant of the Year Award.

In 1986, Harry retired from the Maine State Police. Following his retirement, he started his own private investigation business and later worked for Vescom, where he worked as the Northeast Region manager and eventually was promoted to vice president of operations. Most recently, Harry was a private investigator for McCloskey, Mina and Cunniff LLC law firm, headquartered in Portland. While working as a private investigator, Harry was elected State Representative for District 139 for three terms, during which he served on the Transportation Committee.

After his retirement from the state police, Harry and Sandra moved to Grand Lake Stream, where they operated the family camps known as Bailey's Camps on Big Lake, where relaxation is not just a word, but a way of life. Harry was a member of Lewey's Island Lodge #138 A.F. & A.M., Anah Shriners in Bangor, Princeton Rod & Gun Club, where he was past president and the Maine State Guide's Association. He was instrumental in the creation of St. Croix Regional Family Health Center in Princeton, where he served as chairman of the Board until his passing.

Harry loved the outdoors and was proud of being a Registered Maine Guide since his teenage years and enjoyed fishing, hunting, politics, building and flying remote controlled airplanes, and just simply tinkering. In 2006, Harry was honored to be named Legendary Trooper by the Maine State Police.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by a daughter, Tina Bailey; and a brother, Roland Bailey. Surviving is his wife of 51 years, Sandra (Williams) Bailey; two daughters, Beth Ward and her husband, Wendall, of Belmont, and Amy Damon and her companion, Scott Bushey, of Grand Lake Stream; four grandchildren, Leah Ward of Belmont, Cote Ward and his fiance, Sarah Bernosky, of Belmont, and Bailey and Willis "Billy" Damon of Grand Lake Stream; three brothers, Larry Bailey and his wife, Lana, of Grand Lake Stream, Clayton Bailey and his companion, Connie Libby, of Princeton, and Bradley Bailey and his wife, Cintya, of Hermon; his sister-in-law, Laurel Bailey of Princeton; his brother-in-law, Dean Williams and his wife, Rosalie, of Princeton; and numerous nieces and nephews, cousins, and dear friends.

Visiting hours will be held Monday, June 16 from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. at Mays Funeral Home, 26 Church St. in Calais. A celebration of Harry's life will be held Tuesday, June 17 at 11 a.m. at Washington County Community College Gymnasium in Calais. Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery. Following the burial, friends are invited to a time of fellowship at the Princeton Rod & Gun Club.

Donations in Harry's memory may be made to Maine State Police Retiree Fund (contact Mays Funeral Home for the address, 454-3141), or St. Croix Regional Health Center, 136 Mill St., Princeton, ME 04668.