HOULTON – C. Eugene Bartley, 75, died June 6, 2006, at a Bangor hospital. He was born July 7, 1930, in Andover, New Brunswick, Canada, the son of Wellington and Alice (Flewelling) Bartley. Gene was a member of Saint Mary of the Visitation Church, the Odd Fellows, the Houlton Lodge of Elks and a past member of the Houlton Community Golf Course. In early 1960, Gene built a 10-lot mobile home park in Limestone, then in 1965, he established Bartley Builders. His steel buildings were used at Maine Sugar in Easton. In 1969, he went to Montague, N.Y. to build two huge buildings for New York Sugar. It was at this time Gene took flying lessons and bought his plane. In 1971, he bought Houlton Ready Mix, which eventually became Steelstone Industries and expanded the business to include hot top. In 1988, construction began on Bartley Gardens, followed by Houlton Tire Co. in 1989 and Rental Mini Storage in 1994. Gene loved traveling with Gemma, flying his plane and spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Gene is survived by his loving wife of 41 years, Gemma (Ouellette) Bartley of Houlton; his daughter, Barbara Baude of Bangor; two grandchildren, Kimberly Bennett and Michael Baude; three great-grandchildren, Jacob, Jaron and Jonah; one sister, Grace Lee of St. John, New Brunswick; two brothers, Herman Bartley of Centerville, New Brunswick, and Claude Bartley of Portland; several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by three brothers, Martin, Alden and Austin; three sisters, Velma, Katrina and Vivian; and son-in-law, Tony. Friends may call 6-8 p.m. Friday at the Dunn Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday at Saint Mary of the Visitation Church with Deacon Al Burleigh officiating. Gifts may be made in Gene's memory to the Cary Library, Elks Scholarship Fund or the charity of one's choice in care of the Dunn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 127, Houlton, ME 04730.

Bangor Daily News: June 9, 2006