KENNETH C. TILSLEY

Fort Fairfield – Kenneth C. Tilsley, 74, husband of Linda L. (LeVasseur) Tilsley, passed away Saturday September 7, 2019 at a Bangor healthcare facility, following a brief illness. He was born November 20, 1944 in Ballston Spa, New York, the son of Ronald and Agnes (Welch) Tilsley. He graduated from high school in Ballston Spa, NY in 1962 and went on to serve his country with the United States Coast Guard, and later the United States Coast Guard Reserves. Kenneth worked for Burns and Pinkerton Investigations, worked as an investigator for the State of New York and served as a U.S. Border Patrol Agent at the Fort Fairfield Port of Entry from 1984 until retiring as P.I.C. in 1998. Following his retirement, Kenneth continued teaching at the South Carolina Border Patrol Academy for 3 years and also conducted background investigations for the C.B.P. Border Patrol. His last job was babysitting and Ken described it as “the best job I ever had!”. He is survived by his wife Linda of Fort Fairfield; two sons and daughters-in-law, Keith and Annie Tilsley of Bryant Pond, Kyle and Elicia Tilsley of Greenwood; three step-children, Jeffrey Shaw of Lewiston, Jody Shaw and his fiancé Winnie LaChance of Saco, Stephanie Page of Fort Fairfield; one sister, Barbara Pixley and her husband Earl of Ballston Spa, NY; eleven grandchildren, Jessica Tilsley who was also adopted as a daughter “The Pretty Princess of Widget” and her fiancé Dylan St. Louis of Houlton, Misty Wing and her fiancé Devin Smith of Houlton, Sarah Belmain of Fort Fairfield, Selena Shaw of Brockton, MA, Annabelle Page of Fort Fairfield, Adam Tilsley of Crouseville, Ella Tilsley and Lacy Tilsley, both of Bryant Pond, Keenan Tilsley of Massachusetts, Alicia Tilsley of Bath,  Patricia O’Leary of Gray; three great grandchildren, Izabella Nason, Brylee and Zayden St. Louis; sisters-in-law, Velma Lovelette, Suzanne Cole, Patricia Neilson and her husband Glen, Rosalie LeVasseur; brother-in-law, Roland LeVasseur and his wife Katherine. Kenneth also leaves behind his best friend, Dick Gayton of Bangor, as well as several nieces and nephews. A graveside service with military honors was conducted Friday September 20, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Northern Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Caribou. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may contribute in memory of Kenneth to the Central Aroostook Humane Society, 26 Cross Street, Presque Isle, Maine 04769. “ I was born, I lived, I died.” Arrangements have been entrusted to the Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield. Online condolences may be expressed at www.gibersondorseyfuneralhome.com