SKOWHEGAN – Arland “Al” Raye Cropley, 91, passed away peacefully on June 18, 2022 at his home surrounded by his children.

Arland “Al” was born in Vanceboro in 1930, but lived in many places. 1931-1938, North Bancroft; 1939, Clifton; 1940, East Eddington; 1941, Brewer; 1942-1946, Winn; 1946-1947, Lincoln; 1948-1950, Bangor; December 1950-December 1954, United States Air Force, Strategic Air Command; 1955, Ledgewood, N.J.; 1956, Hartford, Conn.; 1957-1964, Overhill Drive, Suffield, Conn.; 1965-1970, Main Street, Skowhegan; 1971-1976, Riverside Drive, Vernon, Conn.; 1977 to present, Court Street, Skowhegan.

He owned four different homes and a cottage on Sibley Pond in Canaan. He graduated from Mattanawcook Academy, Lincoln.

While in the Air Force, during the Korean War, he went to Remote Control Turret Mechanic-Gunnery School and was a gunner on B-29 and B-50 medium bombers. After discharge he went to Heating and Oil Burner school at Lincoln Technical Institute, Newark, N.J. While there, he worked three months in New York City, West 29th St. (the garment district). In 1956, attended Pratt and Whitney Machine Training School, Hartford, Conn. and 1958-59, two years of Sheetmetal Drafting at A. I. Prince Technical School, Hartford, Conn. He belonged to The Sheetmetal Workers Union, Local # 40, Hartford, Conn. Al owned his own Sheetmetal business in Skowhegan, and owned a home at 106 Main Street from 1965 to 1970. Al and Lorraine returned to Connecticut in 1970. He worked for a friend who had just started his own sheetmetal business, as a draftsman and job supervisor. They lived in Vernon Connecticut until 1977. At that time they returned to Skowhegan, In 1978 they bought a home at 55 Court Street. He worked for Keyes Fiber Company in Waterville where he belonged to the Papermakers Union Local # 449. After 18 years as a millwright, he retired in 1995.

One lucky day in 1956, while attending school at Pratt and Whitney Machine Training School In Hartford, Conn., a classmate of his introduced him to a pretty young girl who worked with his wife at Pratt and Whitney Aircraft Co. in East Hartford, Conn. After a one-year courtship, they were married at the Lutheran Church in Manchester, Conn. They had a lovely marriage that produced five wonderful children.

Al was predeceased by his wife, Lorraine Shirley (Rauchle) Cropley; and his parents Harold and Thelma Cropley.

He is survived by his daughter, Jo-Ann and husband Shawn and grandson Jack Cavanaugh of Shapleigh; son, Bob and wife Kathy and grandson Griffen Cropley of Scarborough; son, Andy and wife Janet of Romance, Ark. and grandchild Steven Cropley and great-grandson Talon of Ward, Ark.; granddaughter, Heather and her husband Charlie Olsen and great-granddaughter, Haylee Price of Goodyear, Ariz.; son, Chris and grandson Matt Cropley of Glendale, Ariz.; daughter, Patty Cropley and fiancé Mike Pion and granddaughter Loral Pion of Norridgewock; his brothers Gene Cropley, Ora Cropley, and Norman Cropley; and numerous nieces and nephews; a special friend, Joanne Moody.

We would like to thank Dr. Lambke, nurses and staff at Skowhegan Family Medicine and Dr. Protos office, and Maine General Hospice for all the wonderful care they provided to Al. To all the people who brought food, stopped in to say hi, and mowed the lawn thank-you.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday Oct. 1 at 2 p.m. at Smart and Edwards Funeral Home, 183 Madison Ave., Skowhegan.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Smart and Edwards Funeral Home.

Because Al loved to read, friends wishing may make donations in his memory to

Skowhegan Free

Public Library,

9 Elm St.

Skowhegan, ME 04976

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