People We've Lost
Lillian Clifford, Carroll J. Lilly, Christopher McKenna
Note: “People We’ve Lost” is a feature of the Bar Harbor Story where we share obituaries of people that the island lost in the previous 1-2 weeks. We’re doing this because we think everyone deserves to be remembered as widely as possible. If you have an obituary for a loved one or friend that you can’t afford to place in other spaces, please let us know and we’ll share it here for you.
Lillian Clifford
Mount Desert Island
Lillian Clifford, 92, of Mount Desert, passed away on June 6, 2025, at Birch Bay Retirement Village in Bar Harbor after a brief illness.
Lil was born and grew up in Jersey City, N.J. and became a registered nurse in 1953. She married Gene Clifford in 1954 and had two sons, Bob (1959) and Larry (1962). She and Gene started visiting Mount Desert Island soon after they were married and found lifelong joy in this place. Lil was proud of her nursing career and loved walking, dogs, cooking, antiques, reading, and jazz.
She is survived by her sister Margie Dolan; her son Bob and his wife Janet; her son Larry and his wife Priscilla; her grandson Ben; her granddaughter Anna and her husband James Gomez; and her great-granddaughter, Maya.
We celebrate Lil’s long, beautiful life.
Carroll J. Lilly
Trenton
Carroll J. Lilly, born on February 10, 1939, in Gardiner, Maine, has left us to embark on his next journey. He passed on June 22, 2025, at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, hard work, and love for his family. Carroll, the son of the late Harold and Edith (Lawrence) Lilly, was a pillar of strength, commitment, and perseverance. As Mark Twain once said, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started,” and Carroll was a man who took this to heart, with a storied career that spanned decades.
Carroll was a man of the road and the sea. He spent most of his life as an auto and truck mechanic, eventually transitioning to the Marine Industry, where he spent many fruitful years at Pettigrew’s Boat Yard. In his later years, he took to the highway, driving trucks across the country, hauling boats with a record that proudly boasted zero accidents. Carroll was not just a truck driver; he was a man who loved his work, adored his 1940 Buick, and found joy in cruise-ins and car shows. He also served with distinction as the moral officer for R&R Automotive, a testament to his integrity and character.
Carroll is survived by his son, Randy Lilly and his wife Johna; his daughters, Leanne Lilly and Diana Heckman and her husband Steve; eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; his sisters, Madelyn Chapman, and Avis Stanley; and his brother, Bill Lilly. Carroll's life was not just about his achievements or his career; it was about the people he loved and who loved him in return. His family and close friends are a testament to the life he lived and the love he shared.
At the family's request, services will be private. Arrangements and guidance are in the care of Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, ME. Condolences, memories and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website www.StaplesFuneralHome.com
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to: Hancock County SPCA, 14 Bar Harbor Rd, Trenton, ME 04605.
Christopher McKenna
Mount Pleasant, SC, South Carolina and Bangor
Christopher McKenna, 60, of Mount Pleasant, SC, passed away peacefully at home on July 2, 2025, after a courageous battle with glioblastoma. He faced his illness with unwavering strength, kindness, and gratitude - and even in his final days, he never lost his sense of humor.
Chris was born on November 6, 1964, in Bangor, Maine, to Russ and Vivian McKenna. A devoted family man, he found his greatest joy in time spent with loved ones. He shared 37 beautiful years of marriage with his wife, Rhonda, and was a proud and loving father to his daughters, Fallon and Kelsey. In recent years, Jay Selesky became a cherished part of the McKenna family.
Chris had a soft spot for animals and treated all of his family's furry companions as true members of the household. He had a passion for creativity and could often be found tackling home improvement projects or tinkering in his workshop. He lived life with imagination and wonder - firmly believing in endless possibilities, including Bigfoot and aliens.
Chris dedicated his life to serving others. He spent 25 years as a firefighter with the Bangor Fire Department (1988-2013). He was also a Black Hawk helicopter pilot in the Maine and South Carolina Army National Guard for more than 27 years (1984-2015) serving in Bosnia, Iraq and Kuwait. He logged more than 4,000 mishap free flight hours supporting both combat and humanitarian missions across the globe. After retirement, he continued his service as a helicopter pilot with Air Center Helicopters, Inc. of Texas working in Afghanistan, Somalia, Africa, and Panama. Prior to his illness, he was proud to honor both professions as an aerial firefighter combating wildfires in California and Oregon with Siller Helicopters, Inc. of California.
He will also be remembered as a beloved brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. He is survived by his sister Cal (Rob Liebow); brother, Russ; sister, Maureen (Tom Tousignant); sisters-in-law, Sherry Robinson and Amanda Busenbark; as well as five nephews and four nieces.
The family will hold a celebration of life ceremony on Sept. 14, 2025 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Sea Dog Brewing Company in Bangor, ME. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Glioblastoma Foundation, glioblastomafoundation.org, and Fisher House Foundation, fisherhouse.org.
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