Bertram G. Snow

Last February we reported on the death of “The Last South End Snow.” That title wasn’t entirely correct. At the time of Richard Snow’s death on October 8, 2013, he still had a cousin, Bertram Snow, whose family still maintains a home in the South End. With the death of Bert on Jan. 6 of this year, we can probably say that he is indeed the last Snow from the Snow Shipyard family living in the South End.

I remember Bert well and I know he will be missed by many. The following is the obituary which was printed in the Courier on January 6.

Bertram G. Snow, 91, husband of Helen L. Fickett Snow, died peacefully Jan. 2, 2015, at Knox Center for Long Term Care with his family at his side.

The son of Walter E. and Rita M. Storer Snow, he was born in Rockland Dec. 19, 1923. He held a deep love for the city and served it in various capacities throughout his life.

Born into a family of shipbuilders, he began working at the family shipyard on Mechanic Street when he was a junior at Rockland High School, from which he graduated in 1942. His affinity for things of the sea led him to serve his country during World War II as a Navy Seabee in New Guinea and the Philippines from 1943 to 1947, earning the rank of boatswain's mate second class.

Upon his return, he began a study of naval architecture and met his partner for life, Helen Fickett. They married July 3, 1952, and raised their family in the local area. Continuing the family legacy, he designed, built and repaired vessels; and for a time operated his own shipyard on the Rockland harbor. He served as harbormaster from 1954 to 1966, and also managed Knox Pier.

Drawn to public service, he volunteered as a local firefighter and sustained an injury that nearly cost him his life and greatly limited his ability to participate. This, by chance, was to begin his long career in law enforcement when he was hired to maintain and service the city’s then-new parking meters. It was there he fell in love with walking the streets and interacting with the people of the city that he loved. He moved into the patrol division of the Rockland Police Department in 1962, after attending the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He rose to rank of sergeant, then deputy chief and was named chief in 1985, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.

After retiring, his desire to still serve the community led to his working as a court security officer. His leisure time was spent researching and documenting the history of more than two centuries of Rockland shipyards and their vessels. This work was later published in hardcover as a collaborative effort titled "The Main Beam," and is available through the Shore Village Museum.

Mr. Snow was predeceased by his twin brother, Burton, his parents and his great-grandson, Laken Harrington.

Besides his wife, Helen, he is survived by his daughter, Carol M. Mullett, his son, Jeffrey B. Snow, and wife Kimberly; grandchildren Judith A. Harrington and husband Leroy, Michael E. Lea and wife Amber, Jared S. Lea and wife Amy, Anastasia Snow, Katie Snow, Tanya Snow and Maia Snow; great-grandchildren Dustin, Nick, Tristan, Alex, Emma, Ryan, Addison, Gabriella, Malachi and Damian; and great-great-grandchildren Alivia, Jeffrey and Parker.

He lived a long life of service, was a constant source of strength to his family and will be forever loved and missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St., Rockland, where a funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9.

Memorial donations may be made to the Knox Center for Long Term Care Activities Fund, 6 White St, Rockland, ME 04841. To share a memory or condolence with Bert’s family, visit his Book of Memories at bchfh.com.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to former son-in-law Stephen Lea for the care he provided our loved one while still at home, to our vast and supportive extended family and many, many friends. Each of you is a blessing. To each of you at Quarry Hill and later at the Knox Center; you became his home and extended loving family; the family will forever be grateful for the years of compassionate and attentive care he received.