John “Jack” L. Maritato, 89, the beloved husband of Helen L. Maritato (formerly Neumann) for over 58 years, and resident of Waldoboro for more than 33 years, died Oct. 30 after a long illness.
The middle child of three of Mary and Sam Maritato, Jack grew up on City Island in the Bronx, N.Y. He graduated from Evander Childs High School, also in the Bronx. Soon after, Jack was drafted into the U.S. Navy during WWII and attained the rank of Electrician Mate Third Class.
After an honorable discharge from the Navy in June 1946, Jack followed in the footsteps of his father, Sam, and became a Professional Yacht Caulker, servicing some of the finest wooden vessels in the U.S. including the replica America (of which he was featured in a New York Times article), the John F. Leavitt (where he was featured in the film documentary Coaster), the schooner Bowdoin, the Wendameen, the replica Mayflower, the Heron, Victory Chimes, Roseway and the Adventure, Mattie, Mistress, and Mercantile, and numerous other ships from Camden to Boothbay Harbor and beyond. Jack taught apprentice caulking classes at the Maine Maritime Museum in Bath as well as the Wooden Boat School in Brooklin. He worked for several years at Samples Boatyard in Boothbay Harbor. Private jobs included: Blue Hill, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, Freeport as well as jobs outside Maine in Newport, R.I. and Plymouth Plantation, Mass.
Jack and his family settled on a parcel of land in Waldoboro in 1978, bordering the Medomak River. He loved to tinker around his property. There was no power or hand tool that Jack couldn’t fix or invent – he was an amazing improviser. In between yacht caulking jobs, Jack produced the finish wood work on Lincoln canoes and kayaks. His handiwork was a work of art admired by many.
Jack was a quiet family man. He was very proud of his children and grandchildren. He was happiest when many family members came to visit for the holidays and birthdays. He was especially fond of chocolate commenting that M&M’s were his “carpenter pills.”
Jack was predeceased by his mother, Mary and father, Sam Maritato.
Jack is survived by his wife Helen; children, Jayne Esposito of Los Gatos, Cal., husband Sal and children Tiffanie, Joseph, and Vanessa; Caryl Tompkins of Waldoboro and children Amanda Thibodeau and husband Steven of Washington, and Kyle and partner Megan Robinson of Union; and Mark Maritato, wife Maureen of North Waterboro and children Darren of Portland and Shea of North Waterboro; brother, Ralph Maritato and wife Gertrude “Dolly” of Appleton; sister, Ann Smith of Winnsboro, S.C.; and many nieces and nephews.
Memorial ceremony celebrating Jack’s life 10 a.m., Thurs., Nov. 10 at St. Denis Parish in North Whitefield. Committal service 1 p.m. at the Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Mt. Vernon Rd., Augusta.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Habitat for Humanity, 121 Habitat St., Americus, GA 31709-3498 (www.habitat.org).
You are invited to share your condolences, memories and photos with the Maritato family by visiting their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com.
Services are entrusted to Hall Funeral Home and Cremation Service, 949 Main St., Waldoboro.
