MOUNT CHASE, ME Kempton Hadley Coolong, 77, passed away April 3,2026, after a long and courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia.

Hewas born Dec. 29, 1948, the son of Hadley and Patricia (Cunningham) Coolong.Kemp grew up in Patten and Mount Chase with his four siblings. His life was always centered around the forests and Shin Pond, both for recreation and work. He joined the United States Army in 1967 and served as a crew chief on Med-Evac helicopters in Vietnam and Germany. After his discharge he became a member of the Maine Army National Guard and deployed to Germany with the 112th Med Evac Unit during Operation Desert Storm. He was very proud to have been able to serve his country in this manner.

Kemp married Debbie Harris in 1972, and together they made a life in Mount Chase. Kemp worked in a variety of woods-related jobs, including owning his own skidders, being a yard manager, and working at Sherman Lumber Company and Calley and Currier, Inc. However, his favorite job was being a wood buyer. He traveled all around Maine and the Maritime Provinces, often with Debbie riding shotgun, as he procured wood for local mills. Kemp was also one of those rare men who could do a wide variety of jobs, whether it be building a house for his family, unclogging drains, or keeping vehicles running.

Kemp provided a memorable childhood for his children, Tellis and Melissa. By serving as caretaker for a friend’s camp on Upper Shin Pond, he was able to give them the opportunity to “go to camp” and enjoy year-round outdoor activities. He was a family man to the core and enjoyed family get- togethers with Coolong, Cunningham, and Harris relatives.

Kemp was predeceased by his parents, his brothers-in-law Raymond Sommers and David York, his niece Lisa Sommers Fogg, his nephew Ryan Bates, and his nephew Dustin Harris. He is survived by his wife Debbie; his son Tellis Coolong of Milford; his daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Adam Probert of Cleveland; his grandson Oliver Kempton Probert; his sisters Glenda Sommers, Susan York, and Marie Chase and her husband Tom of Patten; his brother Dan and his wife Nancy of Florida; and by Debbie’s siblings, Lynn and Duane Merry and Scott and Lorna Harris. He also leaves behind his aunt, Ann Cunningham; many nieces and nephews and cousins; his Wilderness Variety family; and his special friend Randy Bossie, who has been a tremendous support for Kemp and Debbie on so many occasions.

Kemp’s final years were spent in the care of the staff at Madigan Estates. These dedicated people took care of him in so many ways—feeding him, washing his clothes, cleaning his room, and tending to his hygiene and medical needs. But the most important thing they did for him was to respect him and be a friend to him. He loved them all, and his family members truly appreciate their devotion to him.

A celebration of Kemp’s life will be held at a later date, probably during summer fishing season. The specific time and place for this event will be posted on the Facebook pages of family members. We hope you will come and share your favorite stories of this remarkable gentleman.