Obituary of Michael J. Langley

Michael J. Langley, 80, passed away July 8, 2025 after having lived courageously with Parkinson’s disease the last few years.  Mike or “Mikey” as he was affectionately known, was born February 9, 1945 in Newport, Maine to Llewelyn and Ernestine (Jenkins) Langley

He was predeceased by a grandson, Alan Langley, his sister Kay Langley and his wife Sharon Langley.  He is survived by his children Laura Guzman and her husband Silvestre, Bart Langley and his wife Renee, Amy Langley and her partner Deanna Ouellette, as well as 3 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and 3 bonus children; Alan Gillis and his wife Judy, Susan Farley and her husband Mark, Melissa Bessette and her husband Ray; and their children.

Mike grew up in Newport and graduated from Newport High School in 1963.  He attended Husson College for an Associate’s Degree in Accounting. He married Belinda Langley (Clark) in 1965 and went to work at the Hood Plant in Newport.  He moved to his father’s land in Hermon to raise his growing family.  He started planting strawberries as a hobby, which was something his grandfather Charles had wanted to do on that land. He went on to work for West Lynn Creamery as a Field Manager visiting farms across Maine.  He became friends with many of these farmers because he respected their hard work, dedication and the intelligence it takes to run a successful dairy. In return they appreciated his advocacy, his connections in the industry and his own knowledge of the farming way of life.

Mike and Belinda divorced in the mid-1980s but remained lifelong friends.  He met Sharon Gillis and they married in 1993. With her by his side he continued to grow his farm.  They installed a farm pond which was something he had always wanted for irrigation but found instead it provided a home for Canada Geese that would come and spend their summers frolicking there.

Mike had a green thumb and most would agree his strawberries and tomatoes were unrivaled in flavor and deliciousness. There were many who came from all over the state just for his produce. He enjoyed harvest season because it meant having his kids at the farm daily. Amy would take most of June and July off each year to help with harvest and the farm stand; all of his kids and their spouses were there regularly to help in one capacity or another.  It truly was a family operation. Mike followed UMaine Women’s Basketball with vigor for years with Sharon.  They traversed the country following them to home and away games.  Mike also became a UMaine Men’s hockey fan, and got season tickets with his daughters. He looked forward to carpooling to games each winter.

Mike was an animal lover and would rescue strays, protect wildlife and take in feral cats.  He enjoyed caring for them and would provide insulated areas within the barn.  He was thankful for the Pixel Fund, especially Caitlin Morrow, who helped to trap and neuter them so his barn population wouldn’t grow.

He will be remembered as a friend, a husband, a father and as “Bampy”. He stood up for what was right, he valued education, he advocated for those in need, and he was fiercely protective of family and friends.  He may have been mild mannered but when he stood up, people knew it was time to listen.

Family and friends may visit 4 – 6 PM Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at Kiley & Foley Funeral Service, 299 Union Street, Bangor. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Pixel Fund Pet Rescue at www.thepixelfund.org 0r to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mt. Hope Ave., Bangor or at www.bangorhumane.org. Messages and memories of Mike may be shared with his family on the tribute wall of kileyandfoley.com.