William Henry Zuber II, of Friendship, began his final expedition on June 19, 2024 at the age of 88, after a short illness. Born in Manalapan, N.J., the son of Ethelmae (Kroll) and William Henry Zuber on March 10, 1936, Bill grew up on a farm in New Jersey, attended Manasquan High School, Admiral Farragut Academy, and was a graduate of Rowan (Glassboro) University.
He learned to sail at a young age, at the age of 18 got his U.S. Coast Guard captain’s license, which he held into his 70s, attaining his 100-ton ocean master’s license. With his father and brother-in-law, he captained charter fishing trips off the Jersey shore, and owned and operated Zuber’s Seacoast Yacht Basin in Brielle.
Always being enamored with Friendship Sloops, he made his way to Friendship. He was an early member of the Friendship Sloop Society serving as commodore, and in other offices of the society over the years. In 1967, he bought Friendship Sloop Gladiator, maintaining and sailing her through the rest of his life. He moved to Friendship to be an educator and waterfront director for the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School in the 1970s. Gladiator was with him at HIOBS, as his favorite classroom and place to share special times aboard with others. After his retirement from HIOBS, Bill worked for the SEA program, where he helped design and build the research vessel SSV Seamans, sailing he and his wife on a tour through the South Pacific.
He remained active in retirement, working for the Apprentice Shop, Prock Marine, and other endeavors involving captaining, building, and sailing boats. As an avid seaman, boatbuilder, and educator, his life revolved around the sea.
He was a member of the Meduncook Masonic Lodge in Friendship and Nativity Lutheran Church of Rockport.
He was predeceased by his parents; sister, Ethelmae Sevastakis and her husband, George; a nephew, Teddy Sevastakis; and step grandson, Eddie Gilblair. He is survived, and greatly missed, by his wife of 66 years, Caroline, who resides at Quarry Hill in Camden. Three sons, William Zuber III and husband, Granville Zuber, of Manchester, N.H., Robert Zuber and husband, Tramele Staples, of Tilghman Island, Md., and Andrew Zuber and his wife, Kandace, of Waldoboro. Five grandchildren, Ali, Sara, Isaac and his wife, Alex, Ben, and Liam. Two great-grandchildren, Brady Cramer and Phoebe Zuber; and many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life and gathering of friends will be held Saturday, Aug. 10, 2024 at 11 a.m. at the Nativity Lutheran Church in Rockport, with a reception following. His ashes will be returned to the sea by the family.
Donations in his memory may be made to the Friendship Museum, P.O. Box 226, Friendship, ME 04547, the Friendship Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 129, Friendship, ME 04547, the Friendship Sloop Society, c/o Carole Wojcik, 347 Lincoln St., Norwell, MA 02061, or the Nativity Lutheran Church, 179 Old County Road, Rockport, ME 04856.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Hall Funeral Home, Waldoboro. To extend online condolences, light a candle for Bill or to share a story or picture, please visit Bill’s book of memories at hallfuneralhomes.com.
