Ronald Hilton Peabody, 53, of Bristol, passed away peacefully on Aug. 30 at his home, surrounded by his loving family. After being diagnosed with metastatic esophageal cancer, “Capt. Ron” was taken home from Togus VAMC to be cared for by his sister, Cheryl Szacik, longtime girlfriend, Fran Kinney, and his parents, Earl and Sylvia Peabody.
“Capt. Ron” was born March 9, 1959 in Portsmouth, N.H., but considered Beals Island his true home. Born to Earl and Sylvia Peabody, formerly of Beals, he spent many hours with his beloved Grampy on the ocean, lobster fishing and developing his love for the oceans and boating. This was wonderful preparation for his more than 20 years of service in the USCG.
BM1 Peabody retired in 1999, after serving at numerous locations in the New England area, including the Jonesport station from 1981-1985 and the Boothbay Harbor station from 1994 until his retirement. His assignments took him to a fog signal station, four lighthouses, six search and rescue stations, a buoy tender, and a security detachment force for two presidents. After retirement, he worked on or ran a variety of boats from Nova Scotia to Norfolk, Va., consisting of commercial assistance tow boats, tug boats, ferry boats, excursion boats, and a research vessel, along with being a private captain on several recreational boats. His dream of saving a piece of USCG maritime history was accomplished with his restoration a 36-foot motor lifeboat, built for the Coast Guard in 1941, which he used for Capt. Ron’s Cruises out of Boothbay Harbor for four summers. He also operated Capt. Ron’s Marine Services, which included a captain-for-hire and on-the-water training.
He was a member of the Community of Christ since age 11. He was also a member of the ASPCA, The Lighthouse Preservation Society, The Island Institute, and a charter member of the Beals Historical Society.
Ron was predeceased by his beloved black lab, Spike, who was his constant companion for 15 years; grandparents, Farrell and Myrtle Lenfestey of Beals, Milford and Ruth Peabody of Waldoboro and Mary Peabody Alley of Jonesport; uncle, Bertram Peabody of Jonesport; and cousins, Ella Peabody, Bertram Earl Peabody and Nadine Robinson.
He is survived by his parents, Earl and Sylvia Peabody of Rochester, N.H.; sister and husband Cheryl and Peter Szacik of Madbury, N.H.; aunt and uncle, Carolyn and Jon Gordon of Eliot; aunts, Dorothy Peabody of Beals and Madelene Peabody of Jonesport; uncle, Gleason Peabody of Waldoboro; step-nieces and nephew, Kaitlin, Meghan and Daniel Szacik; cousins and their families, Mike and Amy Fuller; Geoff and Kathy Gordon, Harvard Peabody, Leslie and Brenda Peabody, Gregory Peabody, Milford and Penny Peabody, Annette Peabody-Ramirez; Dawn Peabody, Mary and Dale Look, and Jackie Peabody; very special girlfriend, Fran Kinney and her son, Richard; and a special Coast Guard buddy, Steve Burns.
Visiting hours 6-8 p.m., Fri., Sept. 7 at the Community of Christ Church in Beals, where funeral services Sat., Sept. 8 will be held 11 a.m. with full military honors.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the Peabody family by visiting their book of memories at mcclurefamilyfuneral.com
