BANGOR - Ossie Edward Beal, 79, passed away peacefully at a Bangor hospital Feb. 21, 2003, surrounded by his family, from complications following successful lung cancer surgery on Feb. 4, 2003.
He was born on Beals Island, Jonesport ,Jan. 2, 1924, a son of Edward G. and Lizzie (Beal) Beal. Ossie was a lifelong lobsterman who, over more than 60 years, fished Downeast waters from Machias Seal Island to Petit Manan until his health sent him ashore last November.
On shore, he served his profession as president of the Maine Lobstermen's Association from 1967 to 1974; as chief founder and board chairman of the Beals-Jonesport Co-op in 1970; and as advisor to lobster co-ops starting up in Corea and Bucks Harbor in the 1970s. He served his town as first selectman from 1960 to 1973, during which time he was instrumental in getting the toll removed from the Jonesport-Beals Bridge, which had been in place since 1958. He was president of the Washington County Municipal Officials Association and a member of the Maine Municipal Association executive and advisory boards from 1970 to 1973; and a member of the founding board of the Maine Coast Heritage Trust.
He was an amateur boat builder who helped build two of his lobster boats in the 1960's and who finished up the hull of his last boat, the Nancy Anne, in 1980 with help from his sons-in-law.
He was devoted to his family and his work, and enjoyed boat camping, boat racing, and having a good time with his friends.
Ossie is survived by his wife of 31 years, 'Nancy' Anne (Galey) Beal; five daughters; one son; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one sister; three nieces; and one nephew.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Community of Christ Church in Beals.
A memorial register is available on line at Legacy.com.