Kendall B "Duffy" Akerley

BAR HARBOR
Kendall B. (Duffy) Akerley, 76, passed away August 25, 2024, with his family by his side at the MDI Hospital after a brief, but devastating illness. He was born May 26, 1948, in Lewiston, Maine, the son of Basil and Helen (Gibb) Akerley.
Duffy graduated from Edward Little High School, class of 1966. He attended the University of Maine, Orono and was a brother of Sigma Phi Epsilon. While at UMaine, he became involved at the Old Town Pool where he began his love and life-long passion for the Maine State swimming community. He also became involved with search and rescue and continued his involvement with the boy scouts. Duffy spent many years organizing and participating in cross country dirt bike racing with his friends throughout New England and the backwoods of Maine.
Through swim officiating, he met his wife and best friend Marnie. They were married in Seal Harbor on July 17, 1982. When they were not officiating and watching their children thrive in the Pool, on the Football field or out on the cross-country course and track, they looked forward to their summer getaway at Kidney Pond, Cabin No. 1 in Baxter State Park. After moving to Bar Harbor, he started working for Paradis True Value where he spent the next 42 years behind the paint counter and helping the community find anything needed for home improvement. During his years there he met many life-long friends and people he considered family, especially the Paradis.
Giving back to the community is what Duffy loved to do. He was heavily involved with the MDI YMCA, serving on the building and capital improvement committees. For decades, you could find him under the lights, up above the MDI Football games running the score clock. He also served on the Baxter State Park Advisory ensuring the Park remains natural and beautiful for generations to come.
Every Father's Day was spent in Baxter State Park hiking and camping with his old Boy Scout pack leader and troop members. He was a loyal park camper since 1961 and spent many years in line in January for Opening Day for the park's campground reservation system to secure his favorite spots for the upcoming Summer.
Duffy was involved with Maine Swimming for over 50 years and served at all levels within the organization from officiating to judge to meet director. He is a member of the Maine Swimming Hall of Fame and was the first recipient of the self-named YMCA Volunteer of the Year award. He is a member of the Executive Board for the Maine Swim Officials Association and serves as Liaison for the Maine Principals Association for Swimming. For over 30 years, he was the head referee for the State of Maine YMCA Swimming Championships, a meet director for the High School State Championships, and an official with NCAA college swimming.
Duffy is survived by his son, Bill Nickels Jr and his wife Julaine of Corvallis, Oregon; son, Keith Nickels and his wife Christa of Wesley Chapel, Florida; daughter Jessica Sprague and her partner Ted Williams of Ellsworth; three grandchildren, Anthony Nickels, Natalia Frolov-Nickels and Logan Williams; brother Lee Akerley and wife Patricia of Saco, brother David Akerley of
Lewiston, many nieces and nephews and his special friend, Karen Eames of Saco whom he spent the last several years having fun exploring, adventuring and dining with. Duffy was predeceased by his loving wife Marilyne (Marnie), his brothers Blaine, Gard, and Russ, and his sister Susan.
In Duffy's words:
"To all those who have ever known me, my life has been a multitude of adventures all rolled into one big one and you were all part of it, whether it was a friendly hello and smile that may have changed my attitude for the rest of the day or gut-wrenching news, it mattered not. I have had 76 good years, sure some things could have been better, but a million things could have been worse. So, to all of you, acquaintances, friends, Paradis', Karen and family, especially family, Thank you!"
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, September 21st from 1pm to 4pm at The Regency Hotel, Grand Ballroom, Bar Harbor, ME.
Condolences may be expressed at www.jordanfernald.com