Page 20. MAINE BOATBUILDERS SHOW Boatbuilders Who Have Passed over the Bar Harold H. ‘Dynamite’ Payson


SOUTH THOMASTON – Harold H. ‘Dynamite’ Payson, 82, died Wednesday, March 23, at Maine Medical Center in Portland, after suffering an aneurysm at his home earlier that day. Born in Rockland, April 13, 1928, he was the son of Herman W. and Ethel M. Perry Payson. He grew up at “The Head of the Bay” in Owls Head. As a young boy Harold enjoyed scaring his sisters as they sat in the family’s living room with their suitors, by jumping up from behind the couch. His quick, loud action earned him the nickname, ‘Dynamite’, which has continued throughout his life. He attended Owls Head schools and Rockland High School until enlisting in the United States Navy during World War II.


Lobstering at an early age in a double- ended rowing dory, upon his return from military service, Dynamite returned to that work, lobstering off Metinic. During that same period, he met the love of his life, Amy A. Rackliff, and they were married in South Thomaston, March 10, 1949.


They honeymooned at Metinic, and summered there during the lobstering


season for the next several years. They spent their winter months in South Thomaston where Dynamite built boats with his father- in-law, Archie Rackliff, developing his boat building skills.


In the mid 1960s, he collaborated with well known Naval Architect, Philip Bolger of Gloucester, Massachusetts, who had taken admirable note of Dynamite’s work on one of his designs, the Gloucester Light Dory. Through their collaboration, Dynamite furthered his boat design and building portfolio, and at the same time began, at the urging of Phil Bolger and Roger Taylor (founder of International Marine Publishing Company), authoring how-to books. As stated by Bolger about Dynamite “this collaboration and friendship has been one of the pleasantest enduring relationships of my life”.


He was a very reluctant author stating that he was a high school drop-out and had no idea of such things. He has since written ten how-to books. About his authoring he said, “books don’t need to be boring, I believe in letting up on a person once in awhile.”


PAUL E. LUKE, INC.


Storage, Repair, Restoration, Moorings -Full Service Yard-


TEL. (207) 633-4971 Frank@peluke.com


15 Luke’s Gulch, East Boothbay, ME 04544 A. Franklin Luke


FAX: (207) 633-3388 http://www.peluke.com


Through his work writing and teaching, he was awarded his honorary high school diploma in 1990.


Always willing and eager to share his knowledge with others, for a time he taught boat building at the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin, Maine.


Although renowned in the maritime and art world, Dynamite was known as a gentleman, was always unassuming, and treated everyone the same, regardless of social standing. His work in models and photography was exhibited at noted locations including Maine Maritime Museum in Bath, the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland and the Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport.


Over the years, with the assistance of his wife, Dynamite kept track of the boat plans that he had sold and the boats that had been built all over the world. Even though the primary tools of his craft were generational hand tools, as the computer technology advanced, he learned those skills as well, and ultimately joined the web world with his own web site. He was a Life Member of the Owls Head Transportation Museum and could often be seen driving his 1930 Chevy Roadster, given to him by his father in the 1950s, daily to the Spruce Head Post Office.


He loved, and was loved by his family. He always looked forward to family cookouts and especially the “goodies” that were made by the family. He appreciated the countless friends and relatives who would always stop by and visit him in his shop. He will be missed by all who knew him. Pre-deceased by one son, David H. Payson, January 18, 2008, Dynamite is survived by one sister, Helen Post of Spruce Head; his wife of 62 years, Amy; two sons, Neil P. Payson of South Thomaston, Timothy D. Payson and his wife Glennis of Camden; two daughters, Lisa Payson of South Thomaston, Joy Wyatt and her husband Darrell of Bonneau, South Carolina; seven grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.


Basil F. Day


THOMASTON - Basil F. Day, 89, a former and longtime resident of Thomaston, and master boat builder, passed away Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at a Bangor hospital. Basil was born Nov. 27, 1921, in Thomaston, the son of Ann and Ferdinand Day. He attended schools in the Thomaston area, and at an early age he spent much of his time in and around the ocean learning many carpentry skills from his father, Ferdinand and others, including boat building. After school he worked in various trades honing his skills. He met and married Barbara Bryant Aug. 31,


1942, just prior to his joining the Navy and serving in World War II. After the end of the war they made their home in Thomaston. Basil started building boats and owned and operated Georges River Boat Shop until the late 1990s, never really retiring from the craft he loved. Basil enjoyed his many visits to Mohegan Island, was an avid deer hunter, spent as much time - but not enough time according to his wife, Barbara - at their cottage on Washington Pond and attending the fairs. He was predeceased by his wife, Barbara; brothers, Ferdinand “Dint” L. Day, Alamon L. Day and Donald H. Day; nephew, James Day; and a very special sister-in-law, Beryle Bryant. Survivors include his brother, Cecil A. Day and his wife, Martha, of Ellsworth; five nieces and nephews, Rebecca Foster and husband, Rick, Martha Edwards, Kathy Ashton and husband, Ted, Susan Abbot and husband, Gary, Julian Kilton, Debbie Springer and husband, Bob, J. Verrill and wife, Sally, James Verrill, Timothy Verrill and wife, Wendy, Larry Bryant and wife, Brenda, Joyce Goodine and husband, Tom, and Carolyn Swadley and husband, Steve; as well as great-nephew, Rick Frye of Bangor, who stayed close by Basil during his stay in Bangor. Basil will be fondly remembered by many more nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Special thanks are expressed on behalf of the family to the wonderful staff at Westgate Manor, Bangor, for the excellent care that was provided while he was a resident.


Arvid W. Young


COREA - Arvid W. Young, 71, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 13, 2011, with family by his side in Bangor. Arvid was born May 25, 1940, in Corea, to Clifford and Sara (Faulkingham) Young, with his grandmother serving as midwife. He lived all his life in Corea with the exception of 10 years while in the U.S. Coast Guard. He graduated from Sumner Memorial High School in 1958. Arvid was very proud of his sea and lighthouse duty. His last duty station was Bass Harbor Head Light Station, McKinley, as a boatswain’s mate first class petty officer. As a young boy Arvid was taught lobster fishing by his father and after his service in the Coast Guard returned to the trade for a time. Later, with his brothers, Vin and Colby, he founded Young’s Brothers Co. For the next 30 years they earned the reputation of master boat builders, shipping more than 500 vessels up and down the east and west coasts and Alaska. In his free time Arvid also enjoyed fishing and racing one of his Young’s Brothers lobster boats he had built for himself.


He is survived by his wife, Brenda Young of Corea; children, Randy and his


SAIL REPAIR ✩ SAIL STORAGE


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P. O. Box 71, 15 Lincoln Street East Boothbay, Maine 04544


Phone: 207-633-5071 · Fax: 207-633-5076 nswsails@gwi.net


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