William E. Pinkham, 61, of Southport Island, former lobsterman and caretaker of Mouse Island, passed away quietly at home on June 19, following a long illness.
Known locally as “Pinky,” he was the eldest son of Erwin (Chick) and Mary Pinkham of Spruce Point and Southport.
A graduate of Boothbay Region schools, Pinky remained in the harbor, always working on the water, fishing, delivering boats with his dad, and working as a surveyor up and down the coast.
In 1971, Pinky married Linda M. Kierstead and later became the second generation of Pinkhams to caretake on Mouse Island. As his health declined, Pinky and his family moved ashore where he personally built the family home on Southport. There he pursued many interests, including painting, woodworking, cooking, writing poetry and a cookbook of his most loved seafood recipes.
His research into car emissions and weather patterns eventually led to the repealing of the car emission testing laws that had been passed in Maine. Pinky’s love of computers led to many ventures in Cyberspace, including EBay and wholesale drop shipping where he had made many friends worldwide.
He is survived by daughter, Larni Lynn Pinkham Bernard and husband Mike of North Grafton, Mass.; grandchildren, Kolby Russell Morton and Cameron Marie Ives Bernard; brother, Erwin (Jay) Pinkham, Jr. and wife Cindy of Yarmouth; sister, Marcy E. Pinkham of Southport; several nieces and nephews; and his beloved dog, Cinnamon.
At Pinky’s request, there will be no funeral.
Pinky and his parents will be interred at sea in a private family ceremony later in the summer.
Should friends so desire, donations may be made in his memory to the Boothbay Region Fisherman’s Memorial, P.O. Box 304, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538 or to his grandchildren’s college fund located at First National Bank of Damariscotta, P.O. Box 493, Boothbay Harbor, ME 04538, Attention: Kolby and Cami fund.
Arrangements are under the direction of Coast of Maine Cremation and Funeral Service, Waldoboro.
