BALDWIN, ME¾Michael James Toomey, aged 68, passed away peacefully at his home in Baldwin, Maine on Thursday, October 12, 2023.
Michael was born March 4, 1955, the youngest of four sons to William and Rita Toomey of Methuen, Massachusetts. He grew up on his family’s dairy farm, leaving him with a lifelong fondness for cows. In 1973, he graduated from Tenney High School (Methuen, MA).
Michael was a proud Eagle Scout and served as an adult leader in Boy Scout Troop 55 and Explorer Post 290 (both based in Methuen, MA) from 1985 – 1992. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved camping, hiking, canoeing, and cross-country skiing. He shared his love of the outdoors and his knowledge with his son and the other boys of Troop 55 and Post 290, who were always fond of his patient teaching style, his enthusiasm, and his never-ending supply of “Mr. Toomey jokes.”
Michael was also an accomplished and award-winning professional photographer, specializing in portrait photography and weddings. During the 1980s, 1990, and 2000s, he shot weddings for countless couples through his independent photography studio.
In the last decades of his life, Michael moved to Maine, eventually purchasing a historic gentleman’s farm in Baldwin, ME, which he and his wife restored together, one project at a time. Michael enjoyed the solitude of the property, but happily made room for his sister-in-law, whom he loved like a true sibling, to build a home of her own.
Michael was known by those who loved him for his ever-present humor, his quiet charm, and his unassuming wisdom. He was a selfless man who always thought of others first. He will be greatly missed, and the world is smaller for his loss.
Michael is survived by his wife, Stacey Toomey (Baldwin, ME);his sister-in-law and pesky neighbor, Dawnmarie St. Claire; his son, Jason Toomey (Whitinsville, MA); and his granddaughter,Erin Toomey (Whitinsville, MA). He is also survived by his two older brothers, Raymond Toomey (Methuen, MA) and John “Jack” Toomey (Salem, NH), and several nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by his oldest brother, William “Bill” Toomey, who passed in 2021.
The family will hold a private service to honor Michael and his life. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a gift to Hospice of Southern Maine (http://www.hospiceofsouthernmaine.org). Sent from my iPhone
Arrangements have been entrusted to Poitras, Neal & York Funeral Home, Cornish, www.mainefuneral.com