JONESPORT – Capt. Charles H. Woodward, 98, crossed over the bar, March 15, 2011, surrounded by family and friends in Machias, after a short illness. He was born Aug. 9, 1912, in Jonesport, the son of Ernest V. Sr. and Myra (White) Woodward.
Charles moved to Corea in 1921 and attended Corea Grammar School. While attending Jonesport High School, he stayed with his aunt, Clara Kelley. Charles working career began early in his life and by age 18 he had a new lobster boat constructed and fished out of Corea. In addition, he purchased a larger vessel and transported lobster bait and clams. At age 21, he was hired by Calvin Stinson to captain the sardine carrier, Helen Eaton and later Eva Grace. He served in the U.S. Army from March 12, 1940 to Dec. 6, 1941, the day before the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. It was during this time that he married his wife of 17 years, Helen A. Crowley. He then joined the Navy, Jan. 13, 1942. Charles operated tugboats and other various vessels in and around Portland Harbor, providing supplies to the hundreds of ships forming convoys to Europe and North Africa. He was discharged July 1, 1946, as chief boatswain’s mate. Charles returned to the sardine industry operating several different carriers throughout the years, ending with the Lou Ann out of Stinson Canning Factory, Bath. After retiring from the sardine industry, Charles skippered pleasure yachts from Maine to Florida in the fall and back to Maine in the spring. He was captain of the Pearl Necklace out of Hyannis, Mass., for several years. He was skipper of the Pearl Necklace when it was chartered by the owners of the Australian Challenger Gretel II for the 1969 American Cup Challenge. Charles returned to Jonesport and drove trucks for OW and BS Look Lobster Co. for several years. In the off season, Charles worked for National Fisheries Department as a mate on a research vessel. During this tenure, Charles saved the lives of five men off the Iles of Shoals and was awarded a Certificate of Merit for his heroic act. Charles enjoyed riding his motorcycles until age 88 and snowmobiled into his 90s. He had a great love for hunting, especially around the Machias River area. Charles had a fondness for animals and will always be remembered being accompanied by his pet dogs. A man whose memory of his life and details never failed him is evidenced by a Jonesport Historical Society video interview done in July 2010. He was a friend and mentor to family and fishermen throughout his later life. Many young fishermen in Jonesport will miss his friendship and council, as they were frequent visitors to his home. They also knew Charles was always “standing by” on the marine radio when they were “out hauling.” He was a member of Shriners, Masons and Knights of Pythias. He attended Sawyer Memorial Congregational Church. When summer comes this year, the community will miss the company of Charles sitting in the open door of his garage soaking up the sun and greeting his many daily visitors.
Charles is survived by his sisters, Geraldine Look and Barbara Hall; brother, Wayne of Jonesport; several nieces and nephews; and close friend, Leta Smith. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his wife, Helen; sister, Minnie Dobbins; brothers, Ernest Jr., Norman and Arthur; and close companion, Evelyn Sawyer. We thank Downeast Community Hospital and Sunrise Care Facility for their loving care for Uncle Charles. And it must also be noted that his life was truly blessed by good and caring neighbors and friends.
At Charles’ request, there will be no service. Donations in his memory may be made to a charity of your choice.