Nathan V. Lilley

Rochester, NY — Nathan V. Lilley, 72, passed away unexpectedly of an aortic dissection on July 22, 2020, surrounded in the hospital by his loving family. He winked, held hands and listened as the family sang his favorites.  You could not have asked for a more peaceful passing for such a loving and gentle giant.  We are broken-hearted, more than we knew possible.

Born in Houlton, ME, to  Eben LeRoy (Roy) and Blanche (Victory) Lilley, Nathan is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Betsy Maynard Lilley, his three children Kristen (Mark) Murphy, Heather (Matt) Dale and Kent (Christa) Lilley, his six grandchildren, Mark Jr, Kathryn & Lauren Murphy, Ethan & Sean Dale, and Phoenix Lilley along with his beloved sister of Houlton, ME, Sharon (Mike) Raymond, 41 nieces & nephews (including spouses) and overflowing numbers of great and great-great grand nieces, nephews, second and third cousins, all of whom he considered to be close family.  He was preceded in death by his  sisters Greta Lilley Hanaway, Mary Lilley Prentiss and brother, Almon Lilley.

The Class of 1965, Houlton HS, Nathan went on to earn his Bachelor’s in Mathematics with a focus in Computers from University of Maine in Orono, where he met and married his wife and graduated in 1969.  He was Treasurer and brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and a member of Maine Singers and Oratorio Society.  He moved to Rochester, NY immediately after graduation where he spent his entire career and retired from Eastman Kodak, enjoying several years in Gothenburg, Sweden for Kodak, traveling extensively through Scandinavia and Europe while there.

Nathan enjoyed ”driving truck” since 8 years old, from the potato fields, to the gravel pits and most recently, at Lilley Farms of Smyrna, ME.  He was a Lineman and Sharpshooter in the Army National Guard of NY from 1970-1975.  An incredibly supportive and doting grandfather and uncle, he was often seen attending concerts and competitions, sharing family genealogy stories and graciously winning card games and teaching the finer points of card strategy.

His wishes were to have his final resting spot be on his beloved B Stream, returning to his Maine DNA in The County where he split his time as much as possible after retirement.  A celebration of life service will be held at Tall Timber Lodge on Drew’s Lake in New Limerick, ME near the family camp, on Sunday, August 9th at 2PM.  We are asking that those able to join us in celebrating Nathan’s life does so with face coverings and a mindfulness to social distancing  and health issues for others.

Donations can be made in his name to Marfans Syndrome, Cancer or Heart research.