12/10/2019
We are saddened to share that John Gardner has sailed over the bar.
John Prior Gardner of Castine died on November 21, 2019, at the age of 90.
Like his father, Captain Henry Gardner, John spent his life seeking adventures at sea. After serving on an LST in the Navy from 1946-1948, he attended the Art Students League under the GI bill. He was on board the Argosy in its attempt to sail around the world, worked on tugboats on the Hudson River, Erie Canal, and on the Brooklyn waterfront as a stevedore superintendent and terminal manager.
After returning to Castine in 1973 with his wife Elaine and daughter Julie, John scalloped in his dragger on the Penobscot Bay. He worked on oil rig supply boats out of Rhode Island and enjoyed racing his sailboat, winning many Retired Skipper races. John carved historic ship models that are in museums and private collections around the world. He is known for his wooden kitchen spooners and his realistic hand carved butterflies and leaves. He was an avid cyclist, riding his bike in Maine, and throughout France, well into his 80s.
His wife Elaine, son William, daughter-in-law Kathy, daughters Annie, Juliane, son-in-law Chris, grandchildren Tambre, West, Lauren, and great-granddaughter Ariella, are saddened by the loss of this dear man.
A service to celebrate John’s life will be next summer.
