passed away October 17, 2024, in Pensacola, Fla. Peirce graduated from MMA in 1962 and after a couple of years joined the US Navy to learn to fly. He got his wings in 1966 at Pensacola NAS and was active duty for 20 years; after he retired from the United States Military, he continued to work an additional 20 years at (PHI) Petroleum Helicopter Industry. After retirement, he worked in the tax industry to help families all around Pensacola. He also was a faithful member at the Pensacola Beach Community Church and as a Senior Trustee was an integral part in helping rebuild after Hurricane Ivan in 2004.

passed away on November 1, 2024, at his Kittery Point home. Wyman attended Traip Academy where he was a football standout, graduating in the class of 1957. Wyman graduated from MMA and joined the US Navy as a pilot. This provided him with a distinguished 22-year career, punctuated by awards, medals, and promotions. After retiring to Kittery Point, he hauled his own lobster traps, spent some time with his brothers building homes locally, and took a job at the Pease Golf Course repairing golf carts and later as a starter. With an old salt beard, Wyman was perfectly happy being a hometown guy within reach of the ocean. His retirement years gave him the chance to spend time with his parents and siblings. There was nothing that Wyman enjoyed more than a good game of golf or a competitive game of cribbage. If he wasn’t out in his boat wetting a line, he might be found sitting on the deck of his home taking in the salt air that has been so much a part of his life. He loved watching the tide come and go, the wildlife that it brought and the fishermen reeling in their catch.

passed on September 6, 2024, surrounded by his family. Bartek was a graduate of Admiral Farragut Academy and a proud graduate of MMA. He sailed with American Export Line for 10 years after traveling around the world. He began his new career as a self-employed NAMS certified Marine Surveyor. East Coast Maritime Services was launched with Bartek covering the southeast, representing major insurance companies and several shipping lines over the next 47 years. Bartek found the beaches of the Gulf Coast to be his “happy place,” visiting several times per year. His primary hobby was woodworking, and he spent many hours in the workshop creating furniture and gifts of wood for his family and friends. Bartek will always be remembered for his wit and unique sense of humor. There was always a joke or sea story to be told. His love for the sea was abundant as was his passion for life. Over the years, he was dedicated to his work and to his family. “Poppy Bob” is missed every day.

passed away peacefully on February 18, 2025. After graduating from MMA, his early career was in domestic and international maritime engineering. Later, he became an Owner/Broker of ReMax Real Estate on St. Croix, USVI. He and his wife spent 22 years building a life together on the island they loved so dearly. The happy memories the children and grandchildren created while visiting will always be one of his greatest gifts. After moving to Rocky Mount, Groder continued his passion for real estate as an agent for Coldwell Banker. He was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, served his parish as an Eucharistic Minister, and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus. Groder was a kind, gentle man and a friend to all.

died peacefully at his home in Ozona, Fla., on February 18, 2025. A 1962 graduate of MMA, he was a ship engineer in the merchant marines with Moore-McCormack Lines sailing out of Boston. In 1966, he married and settled in Ozona in 1967. Zedalis had a long professional career with GTE in facilities management in Tampa. During his retirement years, Zedalis refurbished a 30 ft. sailboat that he enjoyed sailing with his young grandchildren.

peacefully passed away in Peabody, Mass. on December 10, 2024. A proud graduate of The Rivers School, Fleming continued his education at MMA, where he honed his skills and passion for engineering. He dedicated his service to the nation as a member of the Navy Reserve, achieving the rank of Lieutenant through his commitment and dedication. Fleming’s career as a Chief Engineer for the Merchant Marines was marked by excellence and expertise, leaving a lasting impact on all who had the privilege of working with him. Beyond his professional achievements, he was a cherished member of the Cottage Park Yacht Club, where he shared his love for the sea with friends and family. Fleming will be remembered for his unwavering dedication, his remarkable achievements, and the warmth and kindness he extended to all who knew him. He leaves behind a legacy of honor, hard work, and a genuine love for the sea and sailing that will continue to inspire those he touched.

passed away peacefully, surrounded by his loving family, on November 18, 2024. He was schooled in East Walpole, Mass.; Bridgeton Academy; and MMA, where he received his BS in Marine Engineering. After graduation, he shipped for two years with Lykes Bros. out of Galveston and Houston, Texas; taking supplies to Vietnam for the US military during the Vietnam War. After the two-year stint in world shipping, he relocated to Groton when he took a position in engineering at General Dynamics/Electric Boat where he stayed for 36 years, often being sent to the Prototype in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.; working on restorations on the Nautilus, trouble-shooting trips to Charleston, S.C., and riding “boats” on their sea trials. Fuller also was heavily involved with planning and supporting the now defunct Rhode Island Scottish Highland Festival. Fuller was an active member of the Free Masons; first by joining the Masonic Lodge in Castine, Maine, while a midshipman at the academy. He later joined Coastal 57 in Pawcatuck; as well as, taking the Scottish Rite at Somerset St. James in Norwich.

passed away peacefully on February 24, 2025. Shepherd graduated from Swampscott High School in 1960, before earning his BS in Nautical Science. As a member of MMA’s “First Four” Class of 1964, he graduated with Third Mate status and soon after became an Ensign in the U.S. Naval Reserve. Shepherd developed a lifelong love of the ocean from a young age. He became an Eagle Scout and achieved the prestigious Quartermaster Award, the highest rank in Sea Scouts. Shepherd’s distinguished maritime career spanned 40 years, and he navigated the globe aboard over 40 ships visiting over 1,000 ports. He spent nearly half of his career transporting ammunition to the U.S. Armed Forces worldwide and was decorated 15 times. Early in his career at sea, he served on the unique S.S. American Racer and was famously photographed at the helm in a 1964 AP news wire story that was circulated across the country. Shepherd’s final voyage and command was upon the S.S. Green Harbor, which at the time was the largest ammunition cargo ship in the world (893 ft), an immense responsibility as it was the most explosive force on earth in motion. After retiring, Shepherd settled by the sea and found great pleasure in model ship building and harbored a deep affection for dogs. The greatest treasure that Shepherd shared with others was his endless collection of sea stories of his travels from around the globe.

passed away peacefully on December 21, 2024, at his home on Westport Island, Maine. He graduated from Wiscasset High School and earned engineering honors from MMA in the class of 1964. After several years of working at sea, Soule joined Central Maine Power (CMP), where he worked for many years. While at CMP, he served as the superintendent at Mason Station in Wiscasset and then at the William F. Wyman Station on Cousins Island in Yarmouth. For the next 17 years, he worked at Cianbro as a project manager, department manager, and general manager. He was the lead on all Cianbro projects at the Maine Yankee site in Wiscasset. In retirement, Soule spent his days lobstering. An avid hunter, Soule was deeply involved in his community. He served on the Grover Cemetery Committee, was a Cub Master in Wiscasset, and was president of the Wiscasset Alumni Association. He also served as a trustee of the Edgecomb Community Church, where he was a member, and was a member of the Wiscasset Fire Society.

passed away peacefully at his home in South Portland, Maine, on March 31, 2025. Born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Unnold moved to Maine at a young age and was raised in South Portland. A graduate of South Portland High School in 1962, Unnold went on to earn his degree from MMA in 1966. Unnold began his professional life as a Marine Engineer with Texaco, drawn to the sea and the challenges of maritime work. Later, he transitioned to a career as an insurance underwriter, retiring from Unum in 2004. A dedicated Freemason, he began with the South Portland chapter of DeMolay and was raised at Hancock Lodge No. 4 while at MMA. He later completed the 32nd Degree of Freemasonry at Maine Consistory and became a Shriner of Kora Temple, proudly sharing these milestones with his father. A loving father and grandfather, he found great joy in caring for his grandchildren after retirement, transforming his backyard into a small amusement park and sharing in the fun and laughter. He was known for his love of dogs, good food, a smooth glass of bourbon, and captivating storytelling.