Bangor - Arthur Rand Tilley died March 3, 2016. He was born January 25, 1924 in Bangor, the youngest son of Rose (née Stinson) and Joel E. Tilley.
He was a graduate of Bangor High School, class of 1942, and of Bentley College. He served in the U.S Air Force in World War II in the 455th Heavy Bomb Group, 742nd Squadron, stationed at San Giovani, Italy. During a mission attacking the Moosebierbaum oil refinery in Austria in June 1944 his formation came under heavy fire from the ground and German Luftwaffe fighters. With their B24 on fire and only one engine running the crew was ordered to jump. Arthur parachuted and upon landing in a farm field was immediately captured by German troops. Of the ten aircraft in that squadron only four returned to base safely. He was taken to Luft Stalag III in Sagan, Germany. At the end of January 1945, with the Russian Army advancing from the East the prisoners were moved to Moosberg. 10,000 men were marched four abreast to a train station near Berlin where they were loaded into box cars for the three day trip to Moosberg. In April of 1945 the camp was liberated by Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army. Among many other commendations, Arthur was awarded the Purple Heart and a Presidential Citation for his service.
He returned and after attending Bentley College, moved back to Bangor to take a job as a financial trainee at Eastern Fine Paper in Brewer. After 25 years at Eastern he resigned, ending his career there as Vice President of Finance. He then began a long career as owner operator of multiple small businesses, including the first coin operated laundry in Bangor, a paper distributor, and a telephone answering service. He also served on the Bangor City Council for six years.
Arthur was predeceased by Harriet (McKinnon) Tilley, his wife of 71 years, and his oldest son Arthur Jr. He is survived by his children Anne Lambergs and Matthew Tilley; grandchildren Ruth Tilley, Kathryn Zajac and her husband Joe, Ezabell England and her husband Ryan, and Victoria Lambergs; great grandson Alexander Zajac; daughter in law Elizabeth Ryan, and special family friend Nancy Golding.
In keeping with Arthurs wishes services and interment will be private. Those who wish to remember Arthur in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Salvation Army of Bangor 65 South Park Street, Bangor, Maine 04401 or the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter 263 Main Street, Bangor, Maine 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
He was a graduate of Bangor High School, class of 1942, and of Bentley College. He served in the U.S Air Force in World War II in the 455th Heavy Bomb Group, 742nd Squadron, stationed at San Giovani, Italy. During a mission attacking the Moosebierbaum oil refinery in Austria in June 1944 his formation came under heavy fire from the ground and German Luftwaffe fighters. With their B24 on fire and only one engine running the crew was ordered to jump. Arthur parachuted and upon landing in a farm field was immediately captured by German troops. Of the ten aircraft in that squadron only four returned to base safely. He was taken to Luft Stalag III in Sagan, Germany. At the end of January 1945, with the Russian Army advancing from the East the prisoners were moved to Moosberg. 10,000 men were marched four abreast to a train station near Berlin where they were loaded into box cars for the three day trip to Moosberg. In April of 1945 the camp was liberated by Gen. George Patton’s 3rd Army. Among many other commendations, Arthur was awarded the Purple Heart and a Presidential Citation for his service.
He returned and after attending Bentley College, moved back to Bangor to take a job as a financial trainee at Eastern Fine Paper in Brewer. After 25 years at Eastern he resigned, ending his career there as Vice President of Finance. He then began a long career as owner operator of multiple small businesses, including the first coin operated laundry in Bangor, a paper distributor, and a telephone answering service. He also served on the Bangor City Council for six years.
Arthur was predeceased by Harriet (McKinnon) Tilley, his wife of 71 years, and his oldest son Arthur Jr. He is survived by his children Anne Lambergs and Matthew Tilley; grandchildren Ruth Tilley, Kathryn Zajac and her husband Joe, Ezabell England and her husband Ryan, and Victoria Lambergs; great grandson Alexander Zajac; daughter in law Elizabeth Ryan, and special family friend Nancy Golding.
In keeping with Arthurs wishes services and interment will be private. Those who wish to remember Arthur in a special way may make gifts in his memory to the Salvation Army of Bangor 65 South Park Street, Bangor, Maine 04401 or the Bangor Area Homeless Shelter 263 Main Street, Bangor, Maine 04401. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com
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