Rollins Alan Hale, 69, of Boothbay Harbor, died peacefully in his sleep at St. Andrews Hospital Monday, Nov. 26, 2012. The son of Rollins L. and Pauline J. (Carlson) Hale, Rollins grew up in Rutland, Mass., graduating from Wachusett High School in 1961. After attending Clark University for a year, Rollins joined the U.S. Army where he spent some time overseas in Stuttgart, Germany.

After leaving the army, Rollins worked for The Norton Company in Worcester, Mass. where he met his wife, Cynthia. They moved to Shrewsbury and he worked for Stainless Steel & Pipe and National Cash Register where he was a salesman.

In 1976, Rollie and Cindy decided to move to Boothbay Harbor where they opened their own business, Holiday Linen, a commercial laundry serving the motels and the restaurants in the area. After a fire destroyed the laundry in 1988, they operated several different businesses, and it was Rollie’s love of gardening that brought him to his most recent business of landscaping.

In his youth, Rollie was an Eagle Scout and a member of DeMolay Youth Organization. An active member of the Boothbay Harbor community, he was a Rotarian, served as a Boothbay Harbor Selectman as well as on the Boothbay Harbor Planning Board. Rollie was a member of the Congregational Church of Boothbay Harbor and served on the Board of Trustees. He was an active member of Taking the Blinders Off, a confidential support group for people with loved ones’ substance abuse.

His passion for gardening and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens. He was heavily involved in the beginnings of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens and continues to be a Director Emeritus. He would often visit with his family and especially enjoyed the Rhododendron Garden. His friend Ernie Egan was one of the contributors to that garden.

Rollie enjoyed his garden at home and loved to share the blueberry muffins he baked every week with the blueberries from his garden. He also enjoyed painting and had an appreciation for art. He was an avid reader and stamp collector, and enjoyed attending auctions. He loved telling jokes and stories and had a great sense of humor.

Survivors include his wife of 43 years, Cynthia (Hunter) Hale. He will be sadly missed by his four daughters and their families: Jennifer and Eric Orchard and Madeline and Abigail of East Boothbay; Heather and Judd Witwicki and Caitlyn, Paige and Alexander of Topsham; Rebecca and Derek Abbott and Mackenzie, Ashley and Haley of Boothbay; and Jessica Hale of Portland. Survivors also his brother Bruce and Elaine Hale of Clinton, Mass., and his cousin of Sterling, Mass., Sue and John Erickson and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Skip Hale.

Calling hours will be Thursday, Nov. 29 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Simmons Harrington & Hall Funeral Home in Boothbay. A celebration of Rollins' life will be held Friday, Nov. 30 at the Boothbay Harbor Congregational Church at 2:30 p.m. with the Dr. Rev. Sarah Foulger officiating.

Gifts in memory of Rollins may be made to Taking the Blinders Off Support Group c/o The Congregational Church P.O. Box 468 Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 or the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, 132 Botanical Garden Drive, Boothbay, ME 04537.

You are invited to share your condolences, photos and tributes with the Hale family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, 975 Wiscasset Road, Boothbay, ME 04537.