of Marlborough, Mass., passed away peacefully on February 17, 2024, after a long, happy, and productive life. After Burgarella graduated from Gloucester High School in 1943, he went on to attend MMA from November 1943 to June 1945. He then served as a 3rd mate on the SS Donald W Bain liberty ship. Burgarella was very proud of his work and enjoyed telling stories of his travels which included a visit to Hiroshima after the atomic bomb was dropped. He attended Worcester Polytechnic Institute and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1950. After graduation, he began his career at Vulcan Electric, also working at Honeywell and Avco/Textron, where he spent most of his career designing guidance systems for a variety of missiles and reentry vehicles. In 1987, Burgarella retired and spent his time enjoying his favorite activities and hobbies including woodworking, gardening, golf, and spending time with his family. Burgarella was also the consummate family man. He instilled lifelong skills in his children that enabled them to have successful careers and become self-reliant.

passed away on May 22, 2025, after a brief illness, in Forestdale, Mass. MacLean graduated from MMA and was an officer in the merchant marines. He then embarked on a 44-year career as an Operations Manager and Consultant for American Airlines. A deeply religious man and devout Catholic, he offered his time as a Church Lector, Eucharistic Minister, Sacristan and Parish Administrator at Saint Philip Neri Parish in Linthicum, Maryland, where he resided for 40 years. He loved reading, especially historic works, novels and biographies. He could be seen frequently strolling the neighborhood on long, early morning walks, rain or shine. He had a lifelong love of harness horse racing. He was known as kind, generous and loving to all who knew him. More importantly, he leaves the legacy of a far-reaching extended family that he cared for and nurtured his entire life.

passed away on April 10, 2025. Holmes graduated from Vilas High School, Alstead, N.H., in 1948, and MMA in 1951. He joined the merchant service and then the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict. Holmes qualified and served as Chief Engineer on the USS Power DD839. He later became an instructor in the Naval Reserve, which led to an interest in teaching. He graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 1960, with a major in Physics and Geography, and a master’s degree in Secondary Education. In 1970, he earned a master’s degree in Physical Science from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. Holmes served 38 years in public and private education. He bought property on Vose Mountain in Kingfield, Maine, in 1964 and began building a log cabin on an old, abandoned cellar hole, without the benefit of electricity, using siding and lumber milled from trees harvested on the property. Holmes volunteered at the Norlands Living History Center for 25 years and was a longtime member of Kingfield Historical Society (KHS) and served many years as trustee and treasurer of that organization. Other interests included serving 16 years as secretary for Mount Abraham Masonic Lodge #204 and assisting with bingo and flag burning ceremonies as a member of American Legion Post #61. Holmes served as a Kingfield selectman, a past director and trustee of Webster Memorial Library, longtime treasurer of Kingfield Senior Citizens, and chief enthusiast of the Monday Cribbage Club.

passed away on January 16, 2025, in Santa Rosa, Calif. Cratty attended grammar school in Bangor, Maine, Admiral Farragut Naval Academy Prep School, and MMA. In the Korean War, Cratty was a Navy lieutenant and a navigator on a hospital ship. Cratty returned to Bangor after his tour of duty and opened a bowling alley in Bangor, Bowlmor Lanes, to cater to the local service members since he was a Navy vet. In 1961, a job offer from American Export Lines set Cratty’s course for a long and successful career in the shipping industry. In 1967 he was offered a significant position with Kaiser Shipping. For the next three decades, Cratty formed and was part of many successful shipping industry ventures. He also received his certification as a maritime arbitrator.

of East Hartford, Conn., and formerly of East Millinocket, Maine, died peacefully on July 23, 2025. McAvoy was a graduate of MMA, where he starred in basketball, and was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. Prior to his retirement in 1988, McAvoy was employed for over 37 years by the Great Northern Paper Company in both Millinocket and East Millinocket plants as a Power Systems Engineer. McAvoy wintered in Dunedin, Fla., where many wonderful years were spent just ten minutes from the clear warm waters and beaches of the Gulf of Mexico. He also enjoyed the many summers spent at their summer home on Ambejejus Lake in Maine, where he cherished the time with his family. He owned several boats and received great joy taking his grandchildren out for a ride on the lake. McAvoy was a former member of the Knights of Columbus in East Millinocket and looked forward to gathering with his friends at Hamlet Pub in East Millinocket. He was an avid reader and golfer who also liked playing cards with his wife and solving crossword puzzles and jumbles. He would travel and gave back to the East Millinocket community as a youth basketball coach.

passed away in his Bristol home on June 1, 2025. Born in Portsmouth, R.I., his early years were spent on the water helping his father fish and run the fishing boat, and his love of boats and fishing would continue throughout his life. He hitchhiked to MMA where he received his degree and then paid his tuition with two years in the Navy. Church became a State Pilot, eventually founding Block Island Pilots (which later merged with Northeast Pilots). As a hobby, he built boats – a catamaran, two fishing boats, and a pilot boat. He started Seaboats Inc, a tug and barge company, building and launching many tugboats at the Fall River shipyard along with his son Scott, while still working as a pilot. A bit later, in his limited free time, Church could
be found on one of his fishing boats that he was constantly modifying and working on. He taught the grandkids how to dig quahogs in front of his house, and he then made buckets of quahog chowder and fritters for everyone – all were invited. A lifetime Mason, he was a member of the Propeller Club of Narragansett Bay, an appointee by the Governor to many maritime committees, a financial supporter of MMA, and a mentor to many people in the maritime field. He gave freely of his time and expertise to all.

passed away January 11, 2025. Wright was an officer in the U.S. Navy, serving aboard the USS Lafayette County (LST-859)

passed away passed away at home on May 5, 2023. Baril graduated from Edward Little High School in Auburn, Maine. He received his degree in marine engineering and spent 30 years on active duty in the Navy and retired as a captain in 1983. After retirement he moved to Washington State. He then worked for the city of Everett on the Navy home port effort. He spent many summers cruising on his boat Potato Blossom on Puget Sound the San Juan Islands, and the Broughtons in Canada, and with the Navy Yacht Club Everett.

passed away peacefully September 21, 2025, at his residence. After graduating from MMA, he went on to serve in the U.S. Navy. He traveled the world in both the U.S. Navy and as a Merchant Marine, before settling in Connecticut. Hooper went on to work for General Dynamics. He was the chief fueling engineer for the nuclear submarines at Electric Boat until his retirement in 1995. Hooper loved the ocean and was a long-time sailor, he enjoyed fixing things around the house, and taking cruises with his wife, friends and family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

responded to the Naval last bell “FWE” on October 1, 2025. Mahoney grew up in Stoughton, Mass., graduated from Stoughton High School, and then MMA with a USCG License as a Third Engineer, a BS Degree, and a commission as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Mahoney served as an officer on the USS Windham County (LST-1170), then was accepted to Pensacola Flight Training until assignment to the USS Wasp (CVS-18). He was given an honorable discharge in 1973 with the rank of lieutenant. He was accepted in General Electric’s Technical Marketing Program to become a District Sales Engineer/Manager for the Power Generation Division with assignments in many major cities selling nuclear products and steam and gas turbine generators. Mahoney was a member of AL Post 25, Bar Harbor, a ASME lifetime member, and retired from GE and American Maritime Officers. Skiing, golf and sailing kept Mahoney busy when he was ashore and travel to Norway, Iceland and Ireland were an annual activity.