Malcolm Wiley, obituary
TENANTS HARBOR — Malcolm E. Wiley, 92, died peacefully on Jan. 21, 2017, at Pen Bay Medical Center. His loving son was at his side.
Born in St. George on April 28, 1924, he was the son of Rodney and Anna Watts Wiley. He was educated locally and graduated from St. George High School. Following graduation, Malcolm went to work in the local ship yards, both in Camden and South Portland, before entering the U.S. Army Air Force.
Malcolm served in the Pacific Theater during World War II as a belly gunner on a B-24 Bomber. After flying many combat missions, he was honorably discharged in 1945. His experiences during World War II left him with a deep appreciation of and forever friendships with the men he served with. For many years they met regularly for reunions; and at the time of his death, Malcolm was one of the two last remaining members of the flight crew.
Upon his discharge, Malcolm returned to St. George, where he married Hilda Korpinen in April of 1948. The couple made their home in St. George together until his wife’s death in May of last year.
Always a hard worker, Malcolm worked in several local jobs before beginning his career as an accountant for Dragon Cement. He held this position for over 30 years. Later he continued as an accountant for Weatherend Furniture before retiring.
Malcolm loved being outdoors, hunting and gardening being favorite activities. He also loved reading and local history. Most important was Malcolm and Hilda's love for each other and their family, and the time they could spend with their grandchildren.
He was extremely civic minded and participated in many community events. He was a member of the American Legion, Finn-Am Society and the Odd Fellows and volunteered many hours of his time at Marshall Point Lighthouse.
This past October, Malcolm was proud and honored to have been part of the Honor Flight Program when he was escorted by his grandson, also a U.S. veteran, to Washington, D.C., on the trip of a lifetime. Along with other veterans he was greeted with a large reception in both Portland and D.C. and enjoyed trips to the national monuments there.
Malcolm will be greatly missed.
Predeceased by his wife Hilda; a son, Bruce Wiley; two brothers, Maynard Wiley and Preston Wiley; and a sister, Jenny Hooper; Malcolm is survived by his son, Dale Wiley and his wife, Marianne, of Tenants Harbor; a daughter-in-law, Patricia Perkins-Wiley of Manchester, N.H.; a brother, Bradley Wiley of Rockland; six grandchildren, Sarah Wiley of Florida, Joel Wiley of Mechanic Falls, Benjamin Wiley of Boston, Mass., Malcolm Wiley of Longmont, Colo., and Emma Wiley and Zak Wiley, both of Manchester, N.H.; as well as many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews.
Family and friends are invited to visit Wednesday, Jan. 25, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland. A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, Jan. 26, at 11 a.m. at Tenants Harbor Baptist Church, with the Rev. William Hickey officiating. Interment at Seaside Cemetery will be announced in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. George Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04859 or Tenants Harbor Baptist Church, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860.
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