Obituary of George Errold Cropley

The friends and family of George Errold Cropley of Danforth and Cherryfield are sad to announce that George went to be with his heavenly family on Nov 3, 2015, surrounded by the love of so many who cared about this decent “nice” guy. George, or Errold as he was known in Danforth, was born March 12, 1944 to Rachael Irene Cropley. His father, PFC Errold Hastey was a rifleman with the 350th Infantry Regt, 88th Division in thick fighting in Italy. He was killed by a German sniper two months later on May 14, 1944, never having a chance to meet his son. George was raised by his grandmother, Frances Muncey Cropley. Following her death, George lived in a series of boarding homes. He settled in Cherryfield in the mid 90’s and finally got to live independently at Narraguagus Estates, where he filled his apartment with an extraordinary collection of model vehicles, many of them classics that he easily could identify. George spent his time helping others in many capacities, like the elderly ladies at the Estates for whom he shoveled walks, cleaned off their cars, and picked them up off the ground when they fell. He will be missed by so many of his neighbors – Bernie, Richard, Carl, Robert to name a few. A strong worker, George was a professional shoveler and loved working wood. He took pride in mowing lawns. George traveled often to Florida with the Dustons, especially enjoying Disney, Hooters, the Daytona Raceway and staying at the Blue Wave on Clearwater Beach where he got to know his hero Hulk Hogan. With some help from his buddy Peter, George got to visit his father’s grave at the Rome American Cemetery in Italy. George has flowers placed on his father’s grave on important days with a little sign that says; “Love from the son you never got to see”. George was thanked for his sacrifice as a Gold Star son by President Bill Clinton, Senator Susan Collins, and he was even blessed by the Pope. What most people would say was special about George was his warm smile and wave to all he met, whether in Cherryfield, at Disney, or on the many rides he took with Peter to New Hampshire. Especially important were his holidays with the Doug Smith clan, car shows with Bill, and eating out with Dick. In addition to his parents, George was predeceased by a half brother, Cecil Howard, his grandparents and several aunts and uncles. He is survived by Aunts Rhoda, Georgia and Dolla, Uncles Walter and Ralph, half sister Ida May Howard Rittberg, half brother John Howard, a sister-in-law Gail Denbow, nieces, nephews, and many cousins. He loved and remembered his Danforth friends and family. He is also survived by his close friends, the Doug and Mary Smith family, the Ni and Bill Kearns family, the Peter and Alice Duston family, and many others. George will be missed by his many AA friends who said goodbye to him with an amazing show of love. Thanks go to the loving care of his devoted friend Nancy, dozens of people who sent “hugs and prayers”, and the many who expressed their love and concern in so many ways. There will be a celebration of his life at the First Congregational Church in Cherryfield, Monday, Nov 9, at 1pm. All are invited to a gathering in the Church’s Fellowship Hall following the service. A committal service will take place at the town cemetery in Danforth at a later date. Per his request, there will be a token sprinkling of ashes on his father, PFC Errold Hastey’s grave, at the Rome American Cemetery sometime in the future. George would like to share his collection of classic vehicles with his friends, Please contact Peter Duston for information. In lieu of flowers, George asked that contributions be made to the Gladys and Clarence Tucker Children’s Trust @ Acadia Trust, 66 Main St., Ellsworth, ME 04605. Gifts are tax deductible. Goodbye George. We love you and sure will miss you. Safe journey!