Archive for November, 2017

JOHN V. SAWYER ’54

Posted on: November 27th, 2017 by bryan.wolf No Comments

JOHN V. SAWYER ’54

died March 9, 2017 in Machias, Maine. After graduation from MMA, he sailed for a short time on an oil tanker and served two years in the U.S. Navy as Operations Officer on the USS Ruchamkin. Upon discharge from the Navy, he worked in Boston and New York, as an ocean marine insurance underwriter. He returned home in 1970 to run and operate Worcester-Sawyer Agency. John served on the board of directors of Union Trust Company in Ellsworth for 32 years and was chairman for 17 years. He had a certificate of insurance from Northeastern University, was a certified insurance counselor, and a licensed real estate broker.

HELLO!!

EUGENE H. SPINAZOLA ’61

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EUGENE H. SPINAZOLA ’61

died January 14, 2017 in Sebastian, Florida. He graduated with a B.S. in Marine Engineering and then shipped with Texaco, as an engineer, before working for General Dynamics in Groton, Connecticut, as a nuclear test engineer in the submarine program. In the fall of 1964, he returned to MMA and taught Nuclear Power Engineering. In addition to teaching, he was involved with the football team under the direction of Coach Davis Wiggins, coached the International Life Boat Rowing Team, and was an advisor to the Scuba Club and the Hockey Club. In 1968, he started the Cadet Shipping Program, which was the first Cooporative Education program at the academy. He also served as the Director of Placement until leaving for graduate school. In 1971, he
completed his Masters in Education at the University of Maine and then entered the doctoral program at Indiana University in Administration of Higher Education. In 1972, he returned to work for Texaco as New Construction Superintendent for ship building in Europe. He returned to MMA in 1978, teaching the Power Engineering Lab. After a fire on the TS State of Maine, Spinazola developed a Shipboard Fire Training program. This was the first maritime academy U.S. Coast Guard-approved program of its kind, and continues to this day. He was a long-time member of The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and served as Chair of the New England section of SNAME. He started the student chapter of SNAME on campus. In 1986, when the enrollment at the academy had dipped below 400 students, he introduced the first non-uniformed and non-merchant marine program at the academy, Marina Management and Small Vessel Operations. From this program followed additional non-traditional degree programs and career paths for students. In 1995, he retired from MMA, Professor Emeritus.

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CAPT. SHIRLEY H. HOLT III ’53

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CAPT. SHIRLEY H. HOLT III ’53

died February 26, 2017 in North Hampton, New Hampshire. He earned a bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science from MMA and was the youngest student to graduate in his class. An excellent athlete, he played football at MMA. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict, as well as the Merchant Marines, earning his Chief Mate Unlimited in 1963. He worked as a Portsmouth River Pilot until his retirement in 2000. He was blessed, for a time, to be one of three Shirley Holt’s working as Portsmouth River Pilots together, as his dad and granddad were both still on the river. He was also fortunate to work as partners with his brother Capt. Richard C. Holt, Sr., for many years, as well as his sons. His passion for the water led him and his brother to charter the Portsmouth Propeller Club in 1975, after holding membership in the Portland Propeller Club and Portland Marine Society.

HELLO!!

PETER M. CYR ’95

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PETER M. CYR ’95

died February 21, 2017 in Durham, Maine. After MMA, he worked on oil rigs around the world, including the Deepwater Horizon, where he was Chief Mate, but became the captain of his own rig starting with Discover Enterprise, and then other oil rigs and ships, worldwide. He enjoyed traveling to Asia especially, but loved working with people of all backgrounds, and only expected of his
crew what he would do himself.

HELLO!!

LOUIS “SANDY” PETERSON II ’75

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LOUIS “SANDY” PETERSON II ’75

died February 12, 2017 in Biddeford, Maine. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1965 and received a warrant officer appointment while stationed at Fort Eustis, Virgina. He also was a chief of navigational instruction and a decorated Vietnam veteran, serving as Captain of several Army ships. Upon his honorable discharge in 1970, he became a master of ships and spent many years as
Master Mariner in the Merchant Marine. Peterson also spent 10 years at the Maine Veterans Home in Scarborough, working as the liaison between the patients and the Veterans Administration. In addition, he was employed for eight years at Deering

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FREDERICK LEONE ’43

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FREDERICK LEONE ’43

died February 12, 2017 in Portland, Maine. He graduated with the second class of MMA, and immediately began serving as an officer on Liberty Ships during World War II, crossing the Atlantic many times while bringing supplies to the troops. He worked as an agent and sales manager for Prudential Insurance for more than 28 years and retired in 1987. He was a former president of the Southern Maine Association of Life Underwriters, and, in 1982, received the J. Putnam Stevens Award from the Maine Association of Life Underwriters for his charitable work. He was a member of the Portland Lodge of Elks No. 188, and served as Exalted Ruler of the Lodge and as a District Deputy for Maine.

HELLO!!

RICHARD P. MACDONALD ’44

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RICHARD P. MACDONALD ’44

died February 10, 2017 in Bangor, Maine. After graduation from MMA, he served in World War II on the vessel James E. Howard and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Coast Guard/Merchant Marine. MacDonald settled to raise a family in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and worked for the Schiller Power Plant for some years until managing his own service station through the 1960s. In 1974, MacDonald upgraded his Merchant Marine license to Chief Engineer and returned to the sea, mainly sailing from New York and Beaumont, Texas. He retired and
eventually relocated back to Bangor in 1998.

HELLO!!

JAMES A. BEAL ’65

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JAMES A. BEAL ’65

died January 27, 2017 in Highland, Michigan. After graduating from MMA, he was commissioned into the U.S. Navy and later retired from the Naval Reserve, after 26 years as a captain. Beal also sailed for Gulf Oil Corporation before coming ashore in 1968. Beal worked in the automotive industry in sales, program and account management, until his retirement in 2005. He always enjoyed seeing fellow alumni when back in Maine for reunions.

HELLO!!

ROBERT E. CORT ’53

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ROBERT E. CORT ’53

died January 25, 2017 in Bangor, Maine. He earned his Marine Engineering degree from MMA and entered the Merchant Marine as a 3rd assistant engineer, where he worked for two years. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy for two years, serving in Japan and Korea. After the military, Cort began working with his father in the family business, then known as Maine Coal Sales. He earned a B.S. in Business Administration from Husson College in 1962, while also working full-time in the family business. He succeeded his father as president of the company in 1968, and later the company name was changed to Maine Energy Inc. The company acquired Maine Propane Distributors in 1983. Cort then expanded the business by launching Maine Propane Energy in 1987, Maine Energy Leasing in 1989, and Maine Energy Realty, LLC, in 2000. The most recent addition to the company’s portfolio was Hammond Street Holding, LLC, in 2013. In 2005, Cort was named a MMA Outstanding Alumnus and his name was added to the school’s Wall of Honor. Husson University conferred Cort with the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration in 2015.

HELLO!!

PATRICK K. WREH ’86

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PATRICK K. WREH ’86

died January 22, 2017 in Hopewell, New Jersey. He was affectionately known as “Patutu,” “P-Klaby” by family and loved ones.

HELLO!!