VINALHAVEN — Albert “Billy” Guptill, 58, known to many as “Gump.” passed away March 20, 2015, with his loving family at his side, at Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor, after a brief illness.

Born May 3, 1956, in Rockland, he was the son of Albert “Chief” and Margaret Robishaw Guptill Jr. Educated in local schools, he was a 1974 graduate of Rockland District High School. The next day, he moved to Vinalhaven where he spent many years lobstering, shrimping and seining. He fished with Billy Wadleigh, Phil Bennett and several others. In 1980 he started fishing for the O'Hara Corporation aboard the F/V Araho. In 1981 he joined the crew of the F/V Starlight and fished with Alfred Osgood for many years. He later decided to change careers and go carpentering in order to spend more time with his children.

He was known for his good humor, love of family and friends, and his stubbornness. He was always willing to give his time and generosity to help others. He was a member of the Vinalhaven Lions Club and enjoyed building picnic tables for the Fourth of July festivities.

He built some of the most beautiful homes on the island and developed many friendships. Billy adored his granddaughter and spent countless hours playing with and building wooden toys for her.

Billy was predeceased by his son, Christopher Guptill, in June of 2014; his maternal grandparents, John and Berthe Robishaw; and his paternal grandparents, Albert and Ruth Guptill. He is survived by his parents of Camden; a daughter, Rebecca Guptill and her boyfriend, Justin Dyer; a granddaughter, AnnaLee Dyer; his son, Andrew Guptill and his girlfriend, Jennifer Guptill, all of Vinalhaven; his daughter-in-law, Sarah Mariner of Searsmont; two brothers, Daniel Guptill and his wife, Amy, of Rockland, and Johnny Guptill and his companion, Sarah McDonald, of Vinalhaven; two sisters, Susan Moccia and her husband, Ted, of Norway, and Ginny Harper and her husband, Dave, of Hope; as well as several nieces, nephews, aunts and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.

If desired, memorial gifts may be made to Eldercare, P.O. Box 624, Vinalhaven, ME 04863 or Vinalhaven Fishermen's Award, c/o Sam Bickford, P.O. Box 731, Vinalhaven, ME 04863.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.