ROCKLAND — Bertram G. Snow, husband of Helen L. Fickett Snow, died peacefully Jan. 2, 2015, at Knox Center for Long Term Care, with his family at his side. He recently celebrated his 91st birthday.

The son of Walter E. and Rita M. Storer Snow, he was born in Rockland on Dec. 19, 1923. He held a deep love for this city and served it in various capacities throughout his life.

Born into a family of shipbuilders, he began working at the family shipyard on Mechanic Street when he was a junior at Rockland High School, graduating in 1942. His affinity for things of the sea led him to serve his country during World War II as a Navy Seabee in New Guinea and the Philippines from 1943 to 1947, earning the rank of Boatswain's Mate Second Class.

Upon his return, he began a study of naval architecture and met his partner for life, Helen Fickett. They married July 3, 1952, and raised their family in the local area.

Continuing the family legacy, he designed, built, and repaired vessels; and for a time operated his own shipyard on the Rockland harbor. He served as harbormaster from 1954 to 1966 and also managed Knox Pier.

Drawn to public service, he volunteered as a local firefighter, where he sustained an injury that nearly cost him his life and greatly limited his ability to participate. This, by chance, began his long career in law enforcement, when he was hired to maintain and service the city's then "new" parking meters. It was there he fell in love with walking the streets and interacting with the people of the city that he loved. He later moved into the patrol division of the Rockland Police Department in 1962, after attending the Maine Criminal Justice Academy. He rose to rank of sergeant, deputy chief and was named chief in 1985, a position he held until his retirement in 1989.

After retiring, his desires to still serve the community led to working as a security court officer. His leisure time was spent researching and documenting the history of more than two centuries of Rockland shipyards and their vessels. This work was later published in hardcover as a collaborative effort titled The Main Beam and is available through the Shore Village Museum.

Mr. Snow was predeceased by his twin brother, Burton; his parents; and his great-grandson, Laken Harrington. In addition to his wife, Helen, he is survived by his daughter, Carol M. Mullett; his son, Jeffrey B. Snow and his wife, Kimberly; his grandchildren, Judith A. Harrington and her husband, Leroy, Michael E. Lea and his wife, Amber, Jared S. Lea and his wife, Amy, Anastasia Snow, Katie Snow, Tanya Snow and Maia Snow; hisgreat-grandchildren, Dustin, Nick, Tristan, Alex, Emma, Ryan, Addison, Gabriella, Malachi and Damian; and his great great-grandchildren, Alivia, Jeffrey and Parker.

He lived a long life of service, was a constant source of strength to his family and will be forever loved and missed.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit Thursday, Jan. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock St. in Rockland, where a funeral service will be held at 1:00 P.M., Friday, Jan. 9 at 1 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Knox Center for Long Term Care Activities Fund, 6 White St, Rockland, ME 04841.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to former son-in-law, Stephen Lea, for the care he provided our loved one while still at home, to our vast and supportive extended family and many, many friends. Each of you is a blessing. To each of you at Quarry Hill and later at the Knox Center; you became his home and extended loving family; the family will forever be grateful for the years of compassionate and attentive care he received.