CAMDEN — John Edward Tooley, 71, passed away on September 16 surrounded by his loving family at his childhood home on Megunticook Lake. He passed peacefully after a long and courageous battle with COPD.        

John was born on December 8, 1947, the first of three sons to Louis and Edna (Bainbridge) Tooley in Stoneham, Massachusetts. At the age of 10, the family moved to Megunticook Lake where he and his brothers enjoyed life on the water as well as in the woods. John graduated from Camden High School in 1965. 

John enjoyed a close relationship with his father, Louis, following in his footsteps throughout many aspects of his life. This included obtaining his private pilot license and becoming a career arborist. John enjoyed spending time rebuilding his float planes with his father, which they both flew out of Megunticook Lake. John began his lifelong career in the tree care industry working for his dad at Bartlett Tree Service. In 1971 his father founded Northeast Tree Service, where John worked alongside him until he eventually purchased the company in 1979. John was proud of the reputation of his company, and was incredibly knowledgeable in the field. He was proud to serve as the Camden town arborist for many years. John enjoyed over 40 years in the tree business and retired in 2015. 

Some of John’s fondest memories were his many winters spent working at the Camden Snow Bowl, where he made lifelong friends. He was very proud to have been involved in the very first time snow was made on the mountain.

John had many passions in life which included hunting in the North Maine Woods, spending time at the family camp in Moosehead, and camping trips with his kids and grandkids. He also greatly enjoyed gatherings at the lake, as well as holidays at the home he loved. His greatest pride was his family and he instilled long-time traditions in them. John was happiest when outdoors, whether it was hiking through the woods to find an old logging camp, boating, or flying his float plane. 

A man of integrity, with great wisdom and a quick wit, to know John was to know an honest, resourceful, hard working, family man. He was a loving husband, loyal friend and life of the party, who always had a practical joke up his sleeve (literally sometimes). He lived life on his terms, and was the person you wanted to have as a friend. Life with John was always entertaining.

John was blessed to have found love more than once in his life. In 2004 in a small ceremony he married his best friend, Karen. Together they made a perfect life, filled with family events, numerous road trips and lots of love. John also maintained a close friendship with his first wife, Anne Tooley.

John was a member of the Maine Arborist Association, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association, Maine Pilots Association, as well as the Megunticook Lake Association. 

Predeceased by his father, Louis Tooley, brother, Robert Tooley, and his beloved Golden Retriever, Baxter Kineo Tooley; John is survived by his loving wife, Karen Tooley; mother, Edna Tooley, of Camden, brother, Edward Tooley and Peggy Burgess of Hope; seven children, Debra Tooley and Heidi Mansfield of Rockland, Patti and Terry Lawry of St. George, Terri Tooley of Rockport, Cathy-Jo and Michael Dodge of Hope, John L. Tooley of Camden, Jennifer Tooley of Bethel, and Brogan Tooley of Camden; eight grandchildren, Kelsey and Trevor Lawry, Hilary and Eben Merrifield, Spencer and Sam Tooley, and Mabel and Bailey Dodge. Also surviving are several nieces and nephews.

The family invites you to attend an informal gathering to celebrate John’s life at the Camden Snow Bowl, Wednesday, September 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. Feel free to bring your photos and share your stories of John’s life. A private interment will be held at Youngtown Cemetery in Lincolnville at a later date.

The family would like to thank Dr. Brian Pierce for his wonderful at-home care.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of John may be made to Megunticook Lake Association, P.O. Box 443, Camden, ME  04843 or online at www.megunticook.org/donate/.

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.longfuneralhomecamden.com.  

Arrangements are with the Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 9 Mountain Street, Camden.