Albert M. “Al” Eames Jr., 104, oldest resident of Waldoboro, passed away peacefully on Dec. 17 at Miles Hospital in Damariscotta. Albert lived a long and eventful life.
He was born in Allston, Mass. on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1906, the third son of Albert M. Eames Sr. and Amanda Matthews Eames – both from the Searsport area. He spent his early childhood in Boston and Cambridge, Mass., then moved with his family back to Portland and in 1922, to the Old Brick House in Boothbay Harbor. He was the oldest graduate (class of 1925) of Boothbay Harbor High School.
In the early days of radio, Eames began a long career in radio and electronics when he joined Thomas A. Edison Company as a Field Engineer, traveling throughout Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, Kentucky and W. Virginia servicing Edison “Lightomatic Radios.” Later, during the Depression, he returned to Maine and opened his own radio repair business in the basement of the Brick House in Boothbay Harbor.
Albert met Ardath Crouse, then an art teacher in St. Clair Shores, Michigan, in 1929 while she was attending Frank Allen’s Art School in Boothbay Harbor. Ardath was drawing Albert Eames Sr.’s Blacksmith Shop where Al Jr. was working. They were married in 1932 and lived in the Harbor where Ardath opened the Pine Cone Tearoom. Mr. Eames was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Boothbay Harbor.
During WWII they moved to Cambridge, Mass. where Albert was employed at the Radio Research Laboratory at Harvard University. He worked on a then top secret project, “Windows,” developing radar countermeasures. He went on to work for General Radio Co. in Cambridge and later in Concord, Mass. and lived with his family in Lexington, Mass. for 25 years.
In 1970 Albert and “Ardie,” as Ardath was called, retired to Waldoboro, to a house they built and where Albert lived right up until his passing. He continued to pursue his creative interests in Maine. As an avid photographer, he had been an acclaimed member of the Boston Camera Club for many years and became an active member of the Lincoln County Camera Club where his photographs won many awards.
He was also a talented watercolor painter and exhibited his work at several mid coast galleries – with a retrospective show at Tidemark Gallery in Waldoboro in 2007. Largely self-taught, in mid-life he began painting on summer vacations to the Maine coast and continued until recent years when his sight began failing. He loved excursions to paint with his daughters or sessions at the dining room table once getting around became difficult.
In 2005, on Albert’s 99th birthday, the Town of Waldoboro presented him with the town’s traditional Boston Post Cane as their oldest resident – an honor he was very proud to receive and cherished.
He was predeceased in 1990 by Ardath, his wife of nearly 60 years; and older brothers, Butler and Jack.
Mr. Eames is survived by his daughters, Diana Eames Esterly and husband Harry of Winston, N.M. and Joyce Eames Steel of Waldoboro; grandchildren, Kari Riess and husband John of Brooklyn, N.Y., Alec Eames Richardson and wife Tricia of Harpswell and Meris Esterly of Winston, N.M.; great-grandchildren, Nigel, Aiden and Lucy Riess; niece, Consuelo Hanks and husband Ted of Jefferson and family; nephews, Dwight Eames and wife Jane of Southport and family and Dr. Frederick Eames of Waterville and family; his two loving caregivers (like daughters to him) Charlotte Simmons of Nobleboro and Melissa Simmons of Bremen.
Service to celebrate Al’s life 11 a.m., Fri., Dec. 31 at Broad Bay Congregational Church, Waldoboro, followed by reception at Hall Funeral Home, 949 Main St., Waldoboro and committal and Masonic services at Oceanview Cemetery in Boothbay.
You are invited to share your condolences, memories and photos with the Eames family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
