June 2014 MAINE COASTAL NEWS Page 5. Captains William Abbott and Gilbert Hall Pass Over Bar
For several years Bill served as second selectman to the town of Verona Island. On Sept. 15, 1956, Bill married Eliza- beth Christine Horn of Stratford, CT. They resided on Verona Island for one year and then moved to Belfast in 1957. Bill founded the Penobscot Bay and River Pilot’s Asso- ciation and Gov. Kenneth Curtis appointed him as one of the fi rst members of the Pilot Commission. Bill was instrumental in helping to start Camden Marine Radio, which connected ship radios to the mainland telephone system.
CAPTAIN WILLIAM E. ABBOTT
BELFAST — William E. Abbott, 91, of Belfast, died April 21, 2014, at his residence. He was born Oct. 25, 1922, on Verona Island to Carrie Justina (Burgess) and Merle Clifton Abbott. Bill attended elementary school in a one-room school at the head of Verona Island. He attended high school at Bucksport High School, graduating in 1941 and then attended the University of Maine at Orono. From there, he transferred to Maine Maritime Academy and graduated in 1945 with a third mate’s license of unlimited tons. After graduating from MMA, he shipped out on tankers as a second and third mate. Late in 1946 he returned to Verona to work with his father as a fi rst class pilot on Penobscot Bay and the river. He continued in the piloting profession for 54 years. Bill was a 50+-year member of Felicity
Lodge No 19 AF & AM, and also belonged to Kings Solomon’s Council, No 1, R. & S.M., Waldo Chapter #7 R.A.M.; Palestine Commandery, No. 14 K.T. Belfast and Anah Temple Shrine in Bangor.
Bill was also president of the Searsport Port Committee and was a member of the Portland Marine Society, The Propeller Club of Searsport-Bucksport and the Penobscot chapter of the MMA. He was a 50-year member of the Belfast Rotary Club. Bill was a long time member of the First Church in Belfast, serving two terms as a trustee and he headed up the 200th Campaign drive with his wife, Betty, to rebuild the church steeple and make repairs to the church. Bill took a big interest in the Maine Retired Skippers Race as the president and sailing as skipper on Dr. Delehanty’s ketch Wagon Box for 15 years. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary was another one of his extra duties for 20 years. Bill was predeceased by his wife, Betty, in 2012; and his siblings, Richard Hopkins and Helen Patterson.
He is survived by one daughter, Beth Abbott of Belfast and her husband, Timothy Place; two grandchildren, Amanda Elyse and Daniel William Place; and his nieces, Grace Hart and her husband, Robert Daigle, of Verona Island, Susan and her husband, Dennis Carpenter, and Aimee King. He was also predeceased by his half-brother, Rich- ard S. Hopkins; and his half-sister, Helen A. Hopkins.
Memorial Services was held Saturday, May 10 at the First Church in Belfast. In lieu of fl owers donations may be made to the First Church of Belfast or the Penobscot Marine Museum.
JUST ANNOUNCED!!! Jim Beal of Milbridge Sells Boat Transport Business to West Bay Boats of Steuben
West Bay Boats will continue to service everyone in the Downeast area and beyond * * * * *
Can handle boats up to 47 feet in length * * * * *
Schedule now for a spring launching CALL: (207) 546-4300 offi ce; or (207) 546-6787 cell
his mother married Captain Phil Raynes. Growing up on the Bay Road with Captain Phil was the beginning of Gil’s love of the sea. He was a graduate of Camden High School Class of 1947 and Maine Maritime Class of 1950. On September 10, 1950 he married the love of his life, Shirley Mae Cookson. After a short honeymoon Gil went to sea as a deck offi cer for months at a time. He shipped out for several years until Shirley and he decided it was time to come home to Camden. Upon their return they started Hall’s Taxi and Bus Services. This was short lived as Naval Reserve Offi cer Hall got a call from Uncle Sam. In 1955, Lt. Hall and Shirley headed to Italy where he served for three years.
After leaving the Navy, Gil went to
CAPTAIN GILBERT E. HALL CAMDEN – Captain Gilbert E. Hall, 85, passed away May 5, at Anderson Inn surrounded by his family. Born in East Searsmont, Gil was the son of Fredrick and Christina (Marriner) Hall. At a young age,
work for American Export Line in Philadel- phia. In 1966, Captain Gil had had enough of working in the city so he and Shirley loaded up the kids in the station wagon and came home to Camden. He went to work for Aqua-Terra Enterprises as Manager of Ma- rine Brokerage Sales and Charters. During this time he became an apprentice Penobscot
Continued on Page 22.
WISCASSET YACHT CLUB'S ANNUAL TAG &
COMMISSIONED BOAT SALE Saturday, June 7 8:00 - 12:00
2 Water Street, Wiscasset, Maine Great Island Boat Yard GREAT Service, Access, Value
Big boat yard service expertise delivered with the personal care and responsiveness of a family business. Call or visit us to discover how you can benefit from our exceptional blend of traditional craftsmanship and state of the art technology.
Protected marina with 110 slips and moorings 20,000 sq. ft. of indoor, climate-controlled work space Maine craftsmen maintain and restore boats year round Yanmar products served by certified technicians Certified Professional Yacht Brokerage Services
Located on Quahog Bay, one of the most picturesque spots on the Maine Coast, and only an hour drive north of Portland.
www.westmarinetransport.com
Local & Long Haul Boat Transport Service · Boat Storage · Boat Repairs 207-546-4300
E-mail:
info@westbayboats.com · Steuben, Maine
419 Harpswell Islands Road (Rt. 24) Harpswell, Maine 04079 207.729.1639
www.greatislandboatyard.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32