Pearl E. ‘Honk’ Billings

BROOKLIN – Pearl E. “Honk” Billings Jr., 66, passed away Oct. 24, 2013, at home peacefully in the arms of his loving wife, Sue, after a brief, yet courageous, battle with cancer. Honk was born on November 23, 1946, in Castine, the son of Pearl Billings Sr. and Charlotte (Spencer) Billings.
Honk’s greatest joy was being on the ocean. He started lobster fishing with his father and grandfather at the age of 6 and started lobstering on his own by the time he was 14 years old. Over the years, Honk owned and operated the F/V Susan D, named after his beloved wife, the F/V Holly and Kristie, named after his two daughters, and most recently the F/V Sea Witch.
Honk is survived by his mother, Charlotte, of Los Gatos, California, and his mother-in-law, June Eaton, of Brooklin; his loving wife of 44 years, Susan; his beloved daughters, Holly, and her husband, Mike, of Milbridge, and Kristie and her husband, Ed, of Ellsworth. He also leaves behind his special sister-in-law, Wendy, and her husband, Barry, of Sedgwick; his brothers-in-law, John and his wife, Sheila, of Brooklin, Dan, and his wife, Nancy, of Little Deer Isle, Randy, and his partner, Liz, of Brooklin; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and his special cat, Sweet Pea. He was predeceased by his father, Pearl. Honk’s family extends a special thank you to all the fishermen who hauled up his traps, his boat, and for all their support. Also, thank you to the exceptional nurses and doctors at Eastern Maine Medical Center, and the nurses and aides of Beacon Hospice for their compassionate care during his illness.
A memorial will begin at 1 PM Saturday, November 2, 2013, at the Stonington chapel of Bragdon-
Kelley Funeral Homes with Elder Mike Shepard officiating. At a later date, Honk’s ashes will be scattered at sea and a private interment will also be held at Brooklin Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Cancer Care Center of Maine – LaFayette Family Cancer Center, 33 Whiting Hill Road, Brewer, Maine 04412 or to the Maine Hospice Council and Center for End-of-Life Care, P.O. Box 2239, Augusta, Maine 04338. Arrangements by Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Homes, Stonington.