Arthur L. Bailey, 67, of New Harbor, passed away on the morning of March 12 at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Damariscotta on Nov. 30, 1950, he was the youngest son of Roderick and Lydia (Brackett) Bailey.
Arthur was born in Maine but moved to Syracuse, N.Y. when he was quite young. He attended schools in New York before moving back to Maine, where he was part of the last class to graduate from Bristol High School. Upon graduation he went to college at SMVTI, where he received his degree in psychology.
After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he served for three years. Upon his honorable discharge he came back to New Harbor, where he married Sue Farrin and welcomed two children, Justin and Amber. They lived in Barnstable, Mass. for several years where Arthur worked as a chef. He returned to New Harbor in the early 1980s, where he later married Cheryl Warren and welcomed her two children, Tracey and Casey, to the family. They would later add another son, Aaron, to complete their family.
Locally he had many jobs, starting in the restaurant industry where he was a chef for many well-known local restaurants. He later worked as a sternman lobstering, and eventually he and Cheryl opened the Sun Cafe, where King Eider’s is now located. Most recently, a hobby turned into a career, and he became an antique dealer. He started by buying and selling antiques throughout the region, including at Montsweag Flea Market, where he eventually became the assistant manager.
Arthur was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed spending time in the woods, one time having to outrun a moose. He loved hunting and fishing, and was a local baseball coach when his children were growing up. A self-proclaimed naturalist, he enjoyed gardening and relished in having a green thumb.
He is survived by wife, Cheryl Bailey of New Harbor; children, Justin Bailey of New Harbor, Amber Hutchinson and husband Keith of Louisiana, Aaron Bailey and wife Joann of Auburn, Tracey Manning and husband Jeremiah of Bristol, and Casey Chadwick and wife Jessica of Bristol; grandchildren, Alexis Rose Bailey, Allison Marie Chadwick, Gabriel Aaron Manning, Taylor Mae Hutchinson, Jillian Leigh Chadwick, Delilah Grace Manning, Leo Roderick Bailey, Violet Rae Hutchinson, Lillian Elizabeth Belmont Bailey, and Lydia Pearl Bailey; brother, Gordon Bailey and wife Cindy of Round Pond, and their children Alisha Robbins of Bristol and Nichole Graff of Cape Cod, Mass.; as well as special friends, Gena and E. Killkenny.
A potluck celebration of life for Arthur will be held at 1 p.m., Sat., March 24 at the Wells-Hussey American Legion Post #42 in Damariscotta. His family asks that you come in the spirit of Arthur, and wear your favorite tie-dye or rock band shirt, or anything else you think appropriate.
Condolences, and messages for his family, may be expressed by visiting www.StrongHancock.com.
Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Strong-Hancock Funeral Home, 612 Main St., Damariscotta.
