Eight Bells
ing from MMA, then served as a lieutenant in
Robert W. Gilman Jr. '87
Newcastle. He was also a member of the Knights
the U.S. Navy, Atlantic Fleet, during the Korean
of Columbus and a former Grand Knight.
War. He later obtained a bachelor's in Mechanical
died March 18 in Houston, Texas. Upon graduat-
Engineering from Farleigh Dickinson University,
ing from MMA, Gilman became the first member
New Jersey. Thereafter, Richard was employed as
of his family to complete college. Gilman spent
Parker S. Laite Sr. '54
an engineer with the U.S. Department of Energy
the next five years as a merchant marine traveling
died June 6 in Camden, Maine, recognized as one
where he retired in 1994 as Assistant Manager for
the world; and visited more than 100 countries in
of the community's most active civic leaders. Ten
Energy, Research and Development with more
his personal and professional life.
days after his graduation from Maine Maritime,
than 35 years of government service. He enjoyed
While Gilman had lived on several different
Parker signed on as a merchant marine and
his work and then 21 years of retirement.
continents, his heart was always in Maine. In
1996, he purchased 100 (eventual y 350) acres
served as a junior third mate on the SS Steel
of land and built a cabin with an incredible view
Architect for Isthmian Lines Steamship Company,
Patrick W. Fulton '59
of Mt. Katahdin. He was an avid outdoorsman,
owned by U.S. Steel, and then also with Farrel
hunting and fishing in the shadows of Katahdin.
Lines and American Export Lines. He served two
died March 31 in Civitavecchia, Italy. Fulton
In 1992, Gilman joined the American Bureau
years active duty in the Navy and as a lieutenant,
graduated from MMA in the same class as his
of Shipping (ABS) as an engineer in London,
10 years reserved duty. In 1961, Laite embarked
brother Mike. He served seven years in the U.S.
which led to a successful 24-year career with the
on a career with Marine Colloids Inc. in Rock-
Merchant Marine, and then continued his engi-
company. He gained field experience through
land (later owned by FMC Corp.) For 30 years,
neering career with General Electric, working at
survey assignments in Europe and as a senior
as international buyer for the company's raw
the U.S. Navy Nuclear Reactor Facility in Idaho
surveyor in Korea. Beginning in 1998, he held a
product, seaweed, he traveled the world making
Fal s. This ultimately brought him back home to
series of increasingly senior managerial positions
many friends in al corners of the globe. In 1972,
San Diego where he served as Vice President for
within ABS and its affiliated companies. These
he established Laite Construction Inc., and from
Performance Contracting Inc., a leading insula-
included executive assistant to the president of
1998-2007, was one of the owners of Wayfarer
tion firm. Fulton contributed to the construction
the ABS Pacific Division in Singapore, director of
Marine Inc. Both in construction and the boat
of numerous U.S. Navy and commercial vessels
business planning and analysis with ABS Group,
business, Laite strived to keep local people em-
at NASSCO. He found this work enormously
president of ABS Quality Evaluations, senior
ployed with year-round jobs in Camden.
gratifying and continued as a consultant into his
vice president of ABS Consulting, regional vice
He served in many capacities of communi-
last years.
president for ABS North America, regional vice
ty leadership, including the Camden Board of
president for ABS Europe and senior vice pres-
Selectmen, the town's Planning Board, as wel as
Land Use and Comprehensive Plan, Post Office,
John J.
ident for ABS Europe, vice president of global
operations, president and COO for the Americas
Harbor, and Town Charter committees and
Gabriel '66
Division of ABS, and senior vice president of
Camden Public Library Board of Trustees. He
died March 19 in
technical inspections and verification services for
also helped formed Maine School Administrative
Green Valley, Arizo-
ABS Group of Companies.
District 28 and was involved in many school
na. He spent his ca-
In addition to his MMA marine engineering
construction projects. In 1993, he directed the
reer as a merchant
degree, Gilman obtained a master's in Business
restoration of the Camden Amphitheater and
marine, working
Administration from Rutgers University and
was chairman of the building committee that
his way up to Chief
completed the advanced management program
managed the Camden library's underground
Engineer, traveling
at Harvard Business School. He was also a Coast
Centennial Wing in 1996.
the world including
Guard licensed First Assistant Engineer and
He was a trustee of the Pascal Fund, served
al seven continents, until his retirement in 1997.
member of several maritime organizations.
on the Camden Cemetery Association, Veterans'
While residing in Cape Elizabeth, Maine with
Honor Rol Committee and was a trustee and
this family, he was a lobsterman in Casco Bay,
president of the Camden Area History Center.
enjoying his involvement with the local fishing
Chester I. Hopkins III '62
He was a trustee of Pen Bay Medical Center and
community. He later moved to Tennessee where
died March 10 in Portland, Maine. Upon grad-
chairman of the building committee, as wel as
he owned a horse auction/stable until settling in
uation from MMA, he went to work and sailed
the Camden Health Care Center and chairman of
Arizona in 2005.
for American Export Lines where he spent 17
that building project. He was a 61-year member
Gabriel wil be remembered for his stories,
years, moving from sea to shore in locations
of Masonic Amity Lodge #6.
good humor and willingness to try new things.
including France, Belgium, Germany, Italy and
He loved footbal , and his hobbies included hunt-
England. From 1979 to 2005, he worked for sev-
Leonard D. Madden '43
ing, fishing, horseback riding, and a multitude of
eral different shipping companies before retiring
projects. When he moved to Arizona, he enjoyed
as Vice President of Operations for the French
died August 17 in Ossipee, New Hampshire.
living on his ranch, caring for his animals, work-
shipping line CMA-CGM Maritime. He retired
After graduating from MMA, Madden joined the
ing with cattle and even being a parade grand
in 2005, and with his wife Catherine, moved to
maritime services as a lieutenant in the U.S. Na-
marshal for a number of years. He was definitely
Damariscotta where he volunteered at the Maine
val Reserve and sailed to ports around the world.
one of a kind, according to classmates.
Maritime Museum in Bath for 10 years, and
After the war ended, Madden continued with the
was an active member of St. Patrick's Church in
American President Lines as a chief officer. He
later became Terminal Superintendent for the
mainemaritime.edu
39

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