SEARSMONT — Bruce Edward Brierley, of Searsmont, left this world and went on to the next while at home on Monday, June 13, 2022, at the age of 85. He was born on January 28, 1937.
 
He is predeceased by his mother, Hilda Brierley; father, Edward Brassy Brierley; brother, Ned/Lefty Brierley; first wife, Elizabeth Cyr and second wife, Harriet Brierley.

Surviving are his daughters, Kandace Niles and fiancé Shawn Gray of Searsmont, Gayleen Gogan and her husband Jesse Gogan, whom he called the son he never had, also of Searsmont; grandson, Brian Collins of Belfast; granddaughters, Ashlly Bartholomew of Hampden, Bobbi Niles of Levant, Holli Niles of Bangor; many great-grandsons and one great-granddaughter.

Also surviving: Sandra McLellan, his fiancé; and Tammy McLellan Lewis, whom he loved like a daughter; a special cousin, Peter Brierley, and his wife Maureen of Maine and Texas; his beloved Springer, Dixie; and special friend, Jenness Robbins.
 
In his younger years, he was a manager for Penobscot Frozen Foods while running his own dairy farm in Swanville. He served in the Maine National Air Guard where he earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Later he moved to Searsmont where, once again, the farm life called his name and he and Harriet milked as many as 50 cows during those days. He had many teams of horses that he hayed the fields with because he loved the old ways.  It is then that his sense of community-led him to be active in town business where he served the town of Searsmont in various capacities for 31 years and retired as 1st selectman in 2020.

Bruce and his fiancé, Sandra, coordinated the Searsmont Memorial Day parade for years and made it the best parade in the area for years.

No one who met Bruce could forget his infectious passion for his Springer Spaniels. He enjoyed deer hunting but loved bird hunting with many generations of dogs at his hunting camp in Prentiss Township. He loved to be one with nature and felt his happiest when he was in the woods. He was a typical country gentleman; a storyteller who often spoke of the good times when he was young and spent many memorable days hunting with his dad. He was a soft-spoken man with a kind heart and could be found helping anyone in need. He was an avid reader and published author, writing about some of his hunting expeditions. He could always be found with a gun magazine in his hands. He bought and sold many guns in his lifetime, even repairing and handcrafting gun stocks. He enjoyed going to different area gun shows with his friend, Mike Farmer, with many a spirited conversation on the way home over who had gotten the best deal. He grafted his own apple trees and had a talent for making things grow.

Graveside services will be held Saturday, June 25, at 10 a.m., at the Oak Grove Cemetery in Searsmont. All who knew and loved Bruce are welcome to come and share their memories of him with his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to any local animal shelter or to the Humane Society.

Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.ripostafh.com