Clinton (Bud) Brackett, 92, of Boothbay Harbor, passed away peacefully Jan. 11 at St. Andrews Village in Boothbay Harbor. He was born into a lobstering family Aug. 3, 1918 in New Harbor to Maynard and Ruby Brackett. His parents lived on Monhegan Island. He stayed on Monhegan Island through the age of 11. He started fishing when he was a young boy with his father, Maynard, where he learned to love the ocean.
Bud left Monhegan as a young teenager and completed school on the mainland. In his late teens, Bud went to work for the CCC Camps in Camden helping to construct the State Park. At the age of 25 he joined the Army Air Corps during WWII as a machinist and pilot serving from 1943 to 1947. While with the Army-Air Corps he flew B-17’s and P-51 Mustangs.
Bud and his wife Clara Reynolds Brackett ran the A & B Cab Company, the Boothbay region’s first taxi and bus service, which they ran successfully for many years. When Bud’s dad died, Bud took over his lobstering business and became a successful lobsterman for the next 50 years until he retired at the age of “87.” He was well known in the fishing community. He also served as a director for the Farm Credit Bureau for several years in Lewiston with great pride. He also taught several local people to fly, as well as his son, Russ. He was a member of the Charles E. Sherman American Legion Post in Boothbay. In 2009 he was the Grand Marshall of the Annual Windjammer Days Parade in Boothbay Harbor.
He was predeceased by his wife of 60 years, Clara Reynolds Brackett; and daughter, Nancy Brackett.
He is survived by sons, Russell Brackett and wife Jan of Yarmouth and Carl Brackett and wife Vicki of Dover-Foxcroft; daughter, Sheila Lawson of Rockland; sister, Gwen Brackett of Boothbay Harbor; grandchildren, Jason Brackett and wife Angela of Portland, Caitlin Brackett of Boothbay; Adam Brackett and wife Beth of Ponte Vedra, Fla. and Megan Kemp and husband Jeremy of Sangerville; and great-grandchildren, Lazar and Gracie Brackett of Ponte Vedra, Fla. and Hunter and Abrielle Kemp of Sangerville.
Memorial service to celebrate Bud’s life 2 p.m., Fri. Jan. 21 at Charles E. Sherman American Legion Post, Industrial Park Rd., Boothbay. Al Roberts will officiate. Reception will follow the service. Burial will be in the Oaklawn Cemetery in Boothbay Harbor in the spring.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bud’s memory may be may to the Fisherman’s Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 304, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538.
You are invited to share your condolences, photos, and memories with the Brackett family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay.
