Capt. Earl B. Walker, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family at his home on Southport Island, Maine on July 19, 2022, after a battle with Stage 4 prostate cancer.

Born in Boston on Aug. 31, 1935, he lived with his parents, Earl W and Flora B Walker, in the Malden, Massachusetts area, summering in Southport from an early age and eventually establishing his permanent residence on Molly’s Point, Southport. He was married to Beatrice Walker for 46 years and had two children, Wade and Cheryl.

He was a 1958 graduate of King’s Point, U. S. Merchant Marine Academy. He sailed as Third, Second and Chief Officer on United Fruit Co. ships from 1958 to 1967, hauling bananas from Central and South America and food and ammunition to Viet Nam during the war. From 1967 to 1970, he sailed as Master on a coastwise tanker for Poling Brothers Transportation, hauling refined petroleum products along the East Coast.

From 1970 to 2001, he was a state harbor pilot for the port of Portland, Maine and partner with Portland Pilots Inc., serving at times as treasurer and president. By the time of his retirement he had made well over 7,000 transits in and out of Portland Harbor.

In 1979 he took on sea trial work for Bath Iron Works and in 1984 became the Trials Captain - responsible for all maritime activities (launch, movement, sea trials and delivery) of new U.S. Navy combatant ships. In February 2001, he was responsible for piloting the new 750’ x 180’ dry dock up the Kennebec to BIW, a two-day process and one of the highlights of his career.

Capt. Walker was a past president of the Portland Marine Society and received the Port Of Portland, Maine Propeller Club, Man of the Year for 1998-1999.

In his off hours, you could find him in one of two places – the hockey rink or Molly’s Point. He played hockey from a young age until he was 83 and started up different leagues in the Portland area that continue to exist today. His nickname being “Captain Hook.” He also enjoyed boating, gardening, and building rock walls around his home on Southport.

With his passing, he leaves his family, son Wade Walker of Southport; his daughter Cheryl Walker Russell, her husband Mac Russell and granddaughters, Molly and Erin of Keswick, Virginia; and many friends and acquaintances in the maritime and ice hockey world.

A memorial service to celebrate Earl’s life will be held on Saturday, July 30 at 3 p.m. at Hall’s Funeral Home of Boothbay. In leu of flowers, donations can be made in the name of Earl Walker to Maine Cancer Society or Lincoln County Animal Shelter.

Hall’s of Boothbay has care of the arrangements. To extend online condolences, light a candle for Earl, or to share a story, visit their Book of Memories at www.hallfuneralhomes.com