CAPE ELIZABETH – Capt. Roy H. Locke died Nov. 30, 2006, at The Cedars Nursing Care Center after a long period of declining health. He was born Oct. 17, 1923, the son of Violet Smith Locke and Horace Locke. He attended primary school in Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, before preparing for a career in the British Merchant Navy as a cadet on the training ship SS Conway, in Liverpool, Lancashire. He graduated from the Conway with high honors in 1940, the second year of World War II. His apprenticeship, 1940-1943, was with Alfred Holt Co. and Blue Funnel Line. The latter company suffered wartime losses of 43 of its 88 ships. On two occasions, Roy was rescued from ships that were torpedoed and sunk by German U-boats in the North Atlantic. By 1943 he had earned his second mate’s license. When he earned his first mate’s license in 1946, he had sailed to all but two of the world’s continents. He continued serving on British freighters until 1947, when, on a sudden whim, he emigrated to Ontario, Canada. From Toronto he took seasonal employment on the SS Kingston, an ancient paddle-wheeler that ferried passengers across Lake Ontario from Toronto to Prescott. It was here that he met his future wife, Phyllis Bready, then a college student. By 1948, he had joined Shell Canadian Tankers and was sailing regularly from Portland, Maine to Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela. Soon after earning a Canadian unlimited oceans master’s license, he married Phyllis April 12, 1952 in Parkdale Presbyterian Church, Toronto. Six years later, after serving as first mate and captain on the Shell tanker “Paloma Hills,” he left Shell for the Portland harbor tugs of Moran Towing and Transportation and the opportunity to spend time at home in South Portland with his wife and two daughters. In 31 years of tow boating Roy advanced from cook and deck hand to captain of the Thomas and Eugenia Moran. He added an American unlimited master’s license-all oceans to his credits in 1968. By the time he retired in 1988 he had become a waterfront institution, always available for help, advice, or conversation. He loved his family, his dog, Dandy, his cars, his classical music collection, his cottage on Raymond Pond and the state of Maine. His many interests included: Civil War history, carpentry, classical music, reciting poetry, rooting for the Red Sox and, until recently, hitting the open road and making friends near and far. He was honored at the May meeting of Portland Marine Society for 53 years of active membership and past presidency. Other memberships include: The Harbor Museum and USM Retirees. Captain Locke was predeceased by his brother, Brig. Gen. Donald N. Locke, British Army. He is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Phyllis Locke of Cape Elizabeth; two daughters and their husbands, Patricia Locke, Esq. and Thomas Mascetta of Lincoln and Susan and James Rubens of Etna, N.H.; two grandchildren, Katherine Maeve Mascetta and Matthew Perry Rubens. In the United Kingdom he is survived by his niece, Elizabeth Minugh of London, England; his nephew, Alasdair Locke and wife, Kathy and their family of Dufftown, Scotland; his cousin, Jane Freeman of Great Yarmouth, England and her family. Visitation will be held 5-8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Road, South Portland. A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9, at the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church. A reception will be held after the service at the Marine Society Meeting Room. Interment to be private. Those who wish may donate to the Portland Harbor Museum, Fort Road, Southern Maine Community College, South Portland, ME 04106.
CAPT. ROY H. LOCKE
