Ashland--- Rene G. Cloukey, Sr., 93, peacefully entered into Eternal Life to join his beloved wife on December 25, 2022. He was born June 14, 1929 in Ashland, a son of the late Arthur and Leona Rose (Duprey) Cloukey.

Rene worked at the Pinkham Mill over 30 years before his retirement. Not one to keep idle, even after retirement, he continued for many years street cleaning and snow plowing for the Town of Ashland and volunteering with the fish hatchery, Atlantic Salmon for Northern Maine, where he was a life member. Rene was also a charter member of the Ashland Fish and Game and a lifelong parishioner of St. Mark Catholic Church.

Central to Rene's life was his family. Along with his beloved wife, he created a strong, loving household. The barrage of children running through the yard and in the house were not only his children, but many of the local kids, and many he and his wife babysat over the years. All were invited and, to Rene and his wife Phyllis, all became family, and maintained strong relationships while growing up and moving near and far

He is survived by a son, Rene Cloukey, Jr. and his wife Kelley Fitzpatrick of Presque Isle; a daughter, Tracy Long and her husband Patrick of Ashland; three brothers, Herman Cloukey, Hubert Cloukey and his wife Carol, all of Presque Isle, and Freddy Cloukey of Connecticut; his grandchildren and great grandchildren, Arthur "AJ" Cloukey and his wife Shawn and their son Aaron of Presque Isle, Angela Cloukey and her daughter Kaydence of Presque Isle, Amber Philbrick and her husband Tim and their children Austin and Chase of Westfield, Joey Ebner of Rhode Island, Zach Fitzpatrick of Winslow, Christopher Long of Ashland, and Danielle (Long) Boyles and her husband Eric and their children Landon and Lainey of Sheridan; special sister and brother-in-law, Betty and Ivan "Junior" Spooner of North Anson; and many nieces and nephews. He also had a special place in his heart for the many children he and his wife babysat: Jeremy, Kenny & Timmy Tarr, Kim & Kelly Alley, Dylan & Tyler Michaud, and Andrew Libby.

Besides his parents, Rene was predeceased by his wife of 58 years, Phyllis (Lafland) Cloukey in 2015, an infant daughter Kathy Cloukey, and two siblings, Madeline Neff and infant Gilbert Cloukey.

The Cloukey family extends their deepest gratitude and appreciation to the staff, nurses and residents of Madigan Estates, Houlton. Their dedicated support, care and family-like atmosphere during Rene's stay and to his visiting family certainly made difficult days brighter.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM on Friday June 9, 2023, at St. Mark Catholic Church, Allen Farm Rd., Ashland. Relatives and friends may greet the family 9:30-10:45 Friday morning at the church. Burial will be in St. Mark Cemetery, Ashland. In lieu of flowers, donations in Rene's name may be made to: Madigan Estates-Activity Fund, 93 Military St., Houlton, ME 04730, or to Special Olympics of Aroostook, 25 Lombard St., Presque Isle, Me 04769. Arrangements are a service of Lajoie Funeral Home, 114 Exchange St./PO Box 39, Ashland.