Gregg Hartley, 54, died on July 9 from injuries suffered in an airplane accident in Massachusetts.
Born Sept. 20, 1952, in Beverly, Mass., he was the son of the late Gordon and Mary Quill Hartley. He grew up lobstering and running launches in the Beverly, Mass. area.
He graduated from Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1974 and went to work on the world’s first dynamically positioned drill ship. He worked all over the world.
Gregg moved to Boothbay Harbor in 1976, where he met his wife, Kathy. He ran party fishing vessels, tour boats, and tugs while spending winters at Sugarloaf USA as a ski technician. He then became the company man/cargo supervisor for Universal American Shipping Corporation, and ran large ocean-going bulk barges all over the world. Shortly thereafter, Gregg ventured out and Hartley Marine Services was born. Over the years, the business developed from cargo deadweight surveys on large ocean-going coal ships to a tugboat business.
Perhaps best known around Boothbay was Gregg’s novel idea for the Harbor Tanker “Service” which fueled boats, yachts and islands in the area. Coastal Marine Fuel was started as an offshoot company and proved to be a well-known landmark when entering Boothbay Harbor.
Gregg had a long list of certifications, including Ocean Masters license, Unlimited Mates license, and Tanker Man Unlimited ship pilotage in multiple New England areas.
Gregg was as highly skilled in the air as he was on the water. As a pilot, he had over 15 years of experience flying to and from jobs, aviation events, and pleasure trips all over the east coast.
He was a devoted husband and father, and attended every possible event in which his daughters were involved. Gregg was the rock for his family, supporting and nurturing his wife and daughters throughout their endeavors.
He loved attending cookouts, meeting friends and family after work, boating, and the annual Tugmusters, of which he was a longtime supporter. He loved his pets, and would always be seen with a dog or two in the back of his truck. Above all, he cherished the time spent with his wife and daughters.
In addition to his wife, Kathy, and three daughters, Kelsy, Sonni and Ali, survivors include brother, Paul Hartley of Ipswich, Mass.; sisters, Ann Larson of Ipswich, Mass., and Ruth Thomsen of Milton, Mass.; and four nieces and six nephews.
Visiting hours 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Sat., July 14 at Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home, Rt. 27, Boothbay.
Memorial service 2 p.m., Sun., July 15 at the Boothbay Region YMCA field house, followed by a boat parade and a reception at Brown’s Wharf.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Gregg’s name for an education fund that has been set up for his three daughters to First National Bank of Damariscotta, P.O. Box 940, Damariscotta, ME 04543-0940.
Arrangements are entrusted to Simmons, Harrington & Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Boothbay.
