Maine Chapter 89 NAWCCC 

Emeritus Summa Cum Laude

 

In Memory of Bill Eberly

(November 12, 2003)

 

FNAWCC 68141, Chapter 89 #028

 

We lost a dear friend on November 12th, 2003 at 2:22 P.M.  He was a dedicated and valued member, having held several offices over the years.  Bill was also honored with the distinction of “Fellow” by NAWCC. 

 

Thank you Bill, and thank you for serving both the U.S. Navy and Chapter 89.

 

Addendum (11/19/2003):  I just came home from the funeral at the Kellogg Congregational Church.  Several Chapter 89 members honored Bill and met with Charlotte.  Pastor James Henry addressed the congregation.  He announced the many accomplishments of Bill (as can be seen below), but he also mentioned that Bill and Charlotte “became good friends” one summer in a rowboat. 

 

We were given a card with a picture of a rowboat on the front cover and a handsome picture of Bill in his uniform as Captain on the rear page.  “I’m Free” was printed as follows:

 

“I’m Free”

 

Don’t grieve for me, for now I’m free,

I’m following the path God laid for me.

I took His hand when I heard Him call,

I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day,

To laugh, to love, to work or play.

Tasks left undone must stay that way,

I found that peace at the close of day.

If m parting has left a void,

Then fill it with remembered joy.

A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss.

Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow,

I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow.

My life’s been full, I savored much,

Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief,

Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.

Life up your heart and share with me,

God wanted me now; He set me free.

 

Bill was worthy of the 21-Gun Salute and the sounding of “Taps” from a detachment at Brunswick Naval Air Station.  Though I didn’t have an opportunity to meet her, there was a family relative in Navy Class A uniform to carry on the tradition.  I can only say there wasn’t a dry eye at the military ceremony.  Even though the officer in charge of ceremonies was only addressing the Honour Guards, several of us put our hands over our hearts when the Officer in Charge issued the command “Present Arms”.  It was instinctive, and we wanted to participate.

 

The following is a biography released to several news agencies:

Retired U.S. Navy Captain William Gray Eberly, 78

HARPSWELL - Retired U.S. Navy Captain William Gray Eberly, 78, died suddenly Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2003 at Mid Coast Hospital, Brunswick.

He was born in Trenton, N.J., on June 9, 1925 the son of Samuel Woods and Sara Louise Gray Eberly.

He enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17, and served during World War II where he was awarded Combat Aircrewman wings.  At age 20, he was commissioned a Naval Officer and awarded Aerial Navigator wings.

Mr. Eberly received education and training at the University of Pennsylvania, Colgate University, the University of Georgia, the Naval War College at Newport, Rhode Island, and many specialized military facilities.

After separation from active duty, Mr. Eberly attended the College of Wooster, graduating with a B.A. degree in Political Science.

He married Charlotte Lord of Melrose, Mass. on May 7, 1949.

After employment by General Motors in Trenton, N.J. as a union member and die-cast operator, he returned to school and graduated from Rutgers University in 1951 with a Master's degree in Secondary Education. He later took additional courses at Temple University.

Spending vacations and summers in Maine, he had been a past member of the U.S. Power Squadron, held a U.S. Coast Guard license to operate passenger carrying vessels, owned several boats, and for several years held a Maine lobsterman's license.

As a member of the Naval Reserve, moving up the ranks from seaman to Captain, Captain Eberly served for more than 40 years, being placed on the Navy Retired List in 1985. Following wartime active duty, he joined the Ready Reserve and affiliated with the last Navy lighter-than-air “blimp” squadron, stationed at NAS Lakehurst. In 1957, LTJG Eberly entered the Air Intelligence branch of the Navy, serving in a succession of intelligence billets, including Commanding Officer of an Air Intelligence Unit, NAIRU W-1, at NAS Willow Grove, Pa.

In 1973, during the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, Commander Eberly was the first Naval Reservist recalled to active service to participate in OPERATION HOMECOMING and was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for his service in the prisoner-of-war release operation.

During his Naval Reserve career, Captain Eberly serving in many states including, Puerto Rico, Bermuda, Portugal, Spain, Greece, aboard the USS Mt. Whitney in the Mediterranean and in the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Mr. Eberly second command was in 1978 when he became Commanding Officer of the Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters Unit at U.S. Naval Base Philadelphia. In 1980 he was commander of Reserve Intelligence Area 16, the top Naval Intelligence command for a Reserve Captain.

Captain Eberly was awarded five “Certificates of Merit” by the Chief of Naval Operations. He received two official “Letters of Appreciation” from Commander-in-Chief Atlantic, and another from the Defense Attache in Lisbon, Portugal for military professionalism. He also received “Letters of Commendation” from Commander Naval Air Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commander Naval Reserve.

Mr. Eberly received a citation with “highest commendations” from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for his efforts on behalf of the American POWs.

Mr. Eberly's civilian career was primarily that of a teacher. His school employment as a high school teacher in New Jersey for five years was followed by self-employment as an insurance agent, and then 24 years teaching in Pennsylvania. He was a high school teacher and cooperative education coordinator, and taught several graduate courses at Pennsylvania State University.

He received the “award of excellence” for developing and leading cooperative education programs from the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, and by a formal citation from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

Mr. Eberly's leadership was often recognized by his peers and associates, and he was honored by being selected to serve. He was President of the Ewing Twp. Education Association, Vice President of the Mercer County Education Association, the first President of the Neshaminy Federation of Teachers, Vice President of the Pennsylvania Federation of Teachers, President of the Bucks County Cooperative Education Association, and the first President of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Education Coordinator's Association.

Since retirement in 1983 from his employment in education, and establishing full-time residence in Harpswell, he has served as President of the Maine Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors where he had served as Secretary for over 10 years, was member and former Director of the New England Chapter of NAWCC, and in 1995 was made a Fellow of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.

Mr. Eberly was a member and former deacon of the Elijah Kellogg Congregational Church in Harpswell. Memberships in professional associations included local, state, and national Teachers Associations and Teacher's Unions. He is a life member of the Reserve Officers Association, the Naval Reserve Association, the Military Officers Association of America, and the General Joshua L. Chamberlain Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars, and a former Director of the Southern Maine Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America.

Besides his wife of 54 years, Charlotte Lord Eberly of Harpswell, he is survived by a brother, John Samuel Eberly of Levittown, Pa. and many nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Wednesday, November 19, at Elijah Kellogg Congregational Church, Harpswell with the Rev. James Henry officiating. Interment with full military honors will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, Harpswell.

Memorial contributions may be made to the: Elijah Kellogg Congregational Church, 917 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell, Maine 04079.  Condolences may be expressed at: www.brackettfuneralhome.com.

 

 

 

 

 

In Memory of J. Edward Malette

(December 17, 2004)

 

FNAWCC 14459, Chapter 89 #183

 

Member J. Edward Malette had been a member of Chapter 89 since September 1998.  His interest was in repairing and restoring antique pocket and wrist watches.

J. Edward Malette, 80

SCARBOROUGH - J. Edward Malette of Scarborough died Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2004.

Mr. Malette was born March 20, 1924 the son of Oscar and Flora (Leclerc) Malette in Nashua, N.H.

Mr. Malette was educated in Nashua public schools and joined the U.S. Army as a paratrooper in 1942 and served in the Pacific Theater. He was discharged in 1946. Edward was a member of American Legion Post 76 in Scarborough and a lifetime member of VFW Post 832.

In 1946, Edward married Frances Gatto from Milford, N.H. Mr. Malette retired from Sanders Associates in Nashua, N.H., after 27 years as an instrumentation engineer. He also belonged to the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors for 38 years and was made a fellow in the Association in 1995. Mr. Malette lived in Milford and Nashua and then moved to West Palm Beach and Hobe Sound Florida. After 20 years, Edward and Frances moved to Scarborough to be near their family.

He was predeceased by his parents, Oscar and Flora Malette of Nashua N.H.; sisters, Lillian Vallancourt, Janet Berube; and brothers, Oscar Malette and Alfred Malette.

Mr. Malette is survived by his wife of 58 years, Frances Gatto Malette; sons, Ted and his wife Judy Malette of Cape Elizabeth, and Timothy Malette and his wife Patricia of Glendale, Calif.; granddaughter, Senneh and husband Ralph Arsenault of Saco; and grandson, Anthony Malette and his wife Alicia and great-grandson Cameron from Gray. He is also survived by a brother, Norman Malette of Compton, N.H.; sisters, Lorraine Vojek of Wethersfield, Conn., and Yvonne Nolan and her husband Jack of Glendale, AZ, brother-in-law, Tony Gatto and his wife Irene from Sun City, Hilton Head, S.C., and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

 

 

 

 

In Memory of Carroll E. Morse

(February 3, 2006)

 

NAWCC 49018, Chapter 89 #026

 

Carroll Morse had been a long-time member of Chapter 89.  He served as Secretary in 1979, President in 1980 and Director from 1992 – 1995.  His interest was repairing and restoring antique clocks of all sizes.  For many years, Carroll climbed every tower in Maine and documented all public clocks. 

 

Carroll was a gentle man and trusted friend.

A Tribute to Carroll Morse

 

(December 27, 1917 – February 3, 2006)

Loved by His Friends and Clocks

 

Maine’s old majestic clocks,

Faces of time, seeing all,

Looking North, South, East, West,

Knowing their master’s touch.

 

He climbed the belfry stairs,

To the beat of these great clocks,

Carroll sought to give them life,

He knew them all; he cared.

 

They long for his loving skill.

Those clocks young and old,

Because of this quiet and kindly man,

For them time flows on.

 

Maine’s old majestic clocks,

A testimony to Carroll’s care,

Though they strike out the hours,

They’ll feel his touch no more.

 

One knew Carroll’s gentle steps,

Even at the 12 o’clock hour.

He’s now in his Savior’s grip,

Where time is forever more.

 

Ern Grover <grovers @ timegoes.com> © 2006

 

Carroll E. Morse

(The Times Record, Brunswick, Maine 02/06/2006)

 

BRUNSWICK — Carroll E. Morse, 88, formerly of Woolwich died Friday, Feb. 3, 2006, at a Brunswick hospital.

He was born in Bath Dec. 27, 1917, a son of Samuel A. and Mildred Rogers Morse Sr. He attended Bath schools and graduated from Morse High School in 1936. He graduated from the University of Maine with a degree in mechanical engineering and moved to New York City, where he was employed as a mechanical engineer.

In 1944 he joined the Army Air Corps. On May 7, 1955, he married Caroline Anderson in Malden, Mass. He was employed at Central Maine Power Co. as a mechanical engineer and retired in 1982. On Sept. 28, 1989, he married Laura McCullough in Utah.

He was a longtime member and elder of the Woolwich-Wiscasset Baptist Church and was treasurer and secretary of Riverside Cemetery Association in Woolwich for 32 years. He served on the Woolwich School Board, was a past president of Morse Alumni Association and Chapter 89 of the National Association of Watch and Clock Association.  He was a Scout master.

He enjoyed restoring antique clocks, reading books, gardening, bird watching, boats, lighthouses, touring Maine to take pictures of tower clocks and being involved with the tower clock at the Woolwich Town Office.

He was predeceased by his first wife, Caroline Morse, who died Dec. 17, 1977, and by a brother, Samuel Austin Morse Jr.

Survivors include his wife, Laura Morse of Brunswick; three sons, Elliott Morse of Woolwich, Nathan Morse and his wife, Laura, of Bath and Virgil E. Anderson and his wife, Genia, of Bath; two daughters, Lorelle Thompson of Brunswick and Sherille Masters and her husband, David, of Lititz, Pa.; a brother, Robert Morse of Ellensburg, Wash.; eight grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A visiting hour will be held at noon on Tuesday at the Woolwich-Wiscasset Baptist Church, where a funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., with Pastor Roger Blundell officiating. A gathering of family and friends will follow in the church fellowship hall. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery in Woolwich in the spring. Memorial contributions may be made to the Woolwich-Wiscasset Baptist Church, 15 Fellowship Drive, Woolwich, ME 04579.

Arrangements are by Mayo, Curtis & Hill Funeral Home, 819 High St., Bath.

 

TRIBUTE TO CARROLL MORSE

By Calvin E. Morgan FNAWCC #5723 © 2006 

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT MY LONG TIME FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE CARROLL MORSE.

I MET CARROLL DURING THE SUMMER OF 1978 WHEN I WAS THE CHAIR OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE AND APPROACHED HIM TO ACCEPT THE OFFICE OF CHAPTER SECRETARY.  AFTER HIS ACCEPTANCE HE INVITED ME OVER TO SEE HIS CLOCK COLLECTION AND NEEDLESS TO SAY,  A GREAT FRIENDSHIP ENSUED.  WHILE AT CARROLLS’ I NOTICED HE HAD AN ELI TERRY PILLAR AND SCROLL CLOCK CASE, MINUS THE MOVEMENT, DIAL, AND HANDS SITTING ON THE FLOOR IN THE CORNER OF HIS CLOCK ROOM.  NATURALLY I WAS CURIOUS (SINCE I HAD THE ELI TERRY SHORT DROP MOVEMENT, DIAL AND HANDS ON MY SHELF LOOKING FOR A CASE).  I VENTURED TO ASK CARROLL ABOUT THE CASE AND HE SAID HE WAS LOOKING FOR THE WORKS.  I SAID I HAVE THE WORKS BUT I’M LOOKING FOR THE CASE!  AFTER A BIT OF TOE SCRATCHING AND HEDGEING I OFFERED CARROLL 300 US DOLLARS FOR THE CASE--HE COUNTERED WITH-- “THAT IS A FAIR PRICE FOR THE WORKS“, AND MADE ME THE COUNTER OFFER.  TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, AFTER DICKERING BACK AND FORTH FOR SEVERAL YEARS I FINALLY GAVE IN AND SOLD CARROLL THE WORKS FOR 350 US DOLLARS..!

ANOTHER MEETING WE HAD COMES TO MIND WHEN I VENTURED BY TO SEE CARROLL AT HIS DAYS FERRY HOME AND LO AND BEHOLD IN HIS GARARGE OR CHICKEN HOUSE, CAN’T REMEMBER WHICH, HE HAD A TOWER CLOCK MOVEMENT HE WAS WORKING ON.  I REMEMBER SO VIVIDLY HOW GIGANTIC THOSE WHEELS LOOKED IN SUCH A SMALL SURROUNDING.  I SAID,”THAT’S SOME BIG MOVEMENT” CARROLL RESPONDED WITH ONE OF HIS DRAWLLING COMMENTS, “YEP, SURE WOULDN’T WORK ON THAT THING WITH A NECK TIE ON”!  THANKS TO CARROLL THAT CLOCK IS NOW GRACING THE CUPOLA ON TOP OF THE WOOLWICH FIRE DEPARTMENT BUILDING,  A TOTAL GIFT TO THE TOWN OF WOOLWICH FROM CARROLL.  I KNOW CARROLL WOULD NOT CONDONE IT BUT I WOULD SAY IT REPRESENTS A BEAUTIFUL MONUMENT TO CARROLL AND EACH TIME I DRIVE BY THE FIRE HOUSE ON ROUTE ONE IN WOOLWICH I CAN’T HELP BUT TIP MY HAT TO CARROLL.

CARROLL WENT ON TO BECOME OUR FIFTH PRESIDENT AND HAPPILY SERVED ON MANY OF THE CHAPTER’S COMMITTEES,  BOARD OF GOVERNORS, AND HEADED THE TOWER CLOCK RESEARCH COMMITTEE FOR THE MANY YEARS HE WAS A MEMBER OF CHAPTER EIGHTY NINE..

CARROLL WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR HIS KIND AND GENTLE ATTITUDE TOWARD HIS FELLOW HUMANS, HIS EVER PRESENT WILLINGNESS TO LEND A HAND AND I’M SURE IN HIS OWN WORDS--”I CUNDA DUNNIT WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF MY DEVOTED LAURA AND THE KIDS”

IT GOES WITHOUT SAYING, WE WILL MISS YA, CARROLL!-------------

THANK YOU

 

Calvin E. Morgan FNAWCC #5723 © 2006

 

 

In Memory of Robert Walker (December 13, 2004)

 

NAWCC 27189, Chapter 89 #015

 

Bob left us on December 13, 2004.  He was a well-liked and industrious member of Chapter 89, and he was “around here” when the Chapter was founded.

ROBERT W. WALKER SR.

1918 - 2004

LEWISTON - Robert W. Walker, Sr., 86, of Poland, died Dec. 13, at Central Maine Medical Center after a brief illness with cancer.

He was born in Poland, on April 27, 1918, the son of Elmer and Gladys Walker. He attended Gould Academy and graduated from Mechanic Falls High School. Following high school, he worked for many years with his father and with his brother, "Ted", in the family plumbing and heating business. He was a United States Navy veteran, having served during World War II.

He later worked for Channel 8, and was part of the "summit crew" on Mount Washington for 13 years.

He was married to Glenys Conant for 56 years, until her death in 1993.

He was an avid outdoorsman who loved biking, kayaking and skiing, and was a member of the National Ski Patrol. He particularly enjoyed snowmobiling with his friends from the Snowhoppers of South Paris. As a young man he had his pilot's license and belonged to the Sportsman's Flying Club of Auburn.

For many years he repaired and restored antique clocks, and he was a member of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, serving a term as president of the Maine chapter.

He was a member of the Poland Historical Society, the Owls Head Transportation Museum, the Tyrian Lodge of Mechanic Falls and other Masonic bodies.

He is survived by a son, Robert Jr. of Poland; a daughter, Judith Day of Raymond; a brother, Elmer "Ted" of Poland; six grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and his longtime friend and companion, Linda McConaghy of Poland.

He was predeceased by a brother, Gerry and a son, John.

The following is offered by Chapter 89 member, Cal Morgan:

A Tribute to Bob Walker

I would like to say a few words about my long time friend and colleague, Bob Walker.

I met Bob at a meeting of the Maine Clock Group of the NAWCC, headed by Chairman Al D’Vyer and Vice Chairman Jim Bryant at a meeting at the Civic Center in Augusta, Maine on Saturday, April 28, 1973.  I bought a time clock on the way to the meeting and was eager to show it off.  Bob was delighted to go out and look at it, and from then on we were friends.  We introduced our wives to each other, and thereafter we were buddies, like it or not.  They hit it off great and they were in charge of the social calendar!  Many beautiful weekends were spent sailing with Bob and his wife aboard our sailboat in Casco Bay.  Glennys had but one failing, her sense of direction!  A most memorable occasion was when she was made Guest Navigator and immediately lost the job when she declared, “Look, the sun is coming up in the west!”

In January 1977 Bob became my Vice-President to succeed me as President the following year.  Bob served on many committees and gave extensive lectures on clock case restoration, especially the art of veneering.  He was a master of the trade and as a finish carpenter was responsible for the construction and finishing of TV Channel 8’s studio sets.  I was pleased to be his guest at the studio at ground level and also several visits to the top of Mt. Washington to view his handiwork.  On another occasion I met Bob’s new addition to the family, a black Lab named “Trebor”.  I asked him “Where id you ever get that name?”  Bob replied, “Glennys named him.  It’s “Robert” spelled backwards.  I wonder what she was thinking?”

Bob’s personal workshop was something to behold.  Both clock shop and wood workshop were well equipped and in perfect order.  Again a pleasure to be invited within.

Bob spent his twilight years with his constant and devoted companion, Linda  They spent many hours working together in the clock shop.  Natalie and I shared many pleasant moments with them.

Thank you.  And it goes without saying, “Bob and his services will be dearly missed by many.

Very respectfully,

Calvin E. Morgan FNAWCC

NAWCC #F5723, AWCI #18130, Chapter #89, Chapter #22.

 

 

Back to Home Page