Wilfred C. Haley

1930 – 2015

BOWDOINHAM — The Rev. Wilfred C. Haley, 85, died Sunday, May 10, at a local hospital.

He was born in Phillips on Feb. 21, 1930, a son of Wilfred H. and Helen White Haley. He married Nelly E. Jones in Phillips in 1948. Mrs. Haley died Aug. 3, 2009.

The Rev. Haley started the Brunswick Church of the Nazarene and Norway Church of the Nazarene and was pastor for both parishes. During his time in Norway, it was the fastest growing parish in the Eastern Region. The Rev. Haley served these two church communities for over 43 years total.

His church involvement was not limited to his own parishes. He was regularly involved in services at both the Wiscasset and Richmond churches of the Nazarene. He was a member of the Kairos Prison Ministry and was committed to bringing the message to those incarcerated in Twin Bridges Jail in Warren and the Maine State Penitentiary in Thomaston.

His only quality that may have outweighed his faith was his love and care for others. After his wife’s death in 2009, the Rev. Haley began Life in the SonSet Years Ministries, which reached out to caregiving survivors. As a product of this endeavor, the Rev. Haley came in contact with and interviewed hundreds of people, televising their stories of strength and devotion over several local networks.

He loved singing and songwriting, having written several songs with his wife. “Transformed by Love” was their most meaningful song. It was common to catch him singing “Old Tin Cup” by Herb Mullen, a song many mistakenly believed was a Rev. Haley original.

He is predeceased by his wife; a grandchild, Jess Luneau; four brothers, John Haley, Bob Haley, Ronald Haley and Ray McFarland; and four sisters, Grace Marsinko, Pauline Hatrick, June Willey and May Fairbanks.

He is survived by his three daughters, Gail Smith and her husband, Sherman, of Bowdoinham, Sandy Luneau and her husband, Normand, of Bridgton, and Cindy Evans and her husband, Dwaine, of Bowdoinham; a sister, Lois Henry of Farmington; five grandchildren, Jennifer Couch of Texas, Matthew Luneau of Texas, Marion Smith of Kentucky, Clayton Smith of Bowdoinham and Dwaine Evans Jr. of Bowdoinham; six great-grandchildren, Owen Smith of Lisbon Falls, Blake Couch and Jesse Couch of Texas, Moriah Luneau, Zachary Luneau and Nate Luneau, all of Texas; and several nieces and nephews.