BELFAST — Capt. Peter C. Graham, of Woods Hole, Mass., born Oct. 14, 1944, passed away July 29, 2016, in his home in Belfast.

Peter grew up on Cape Cod, attended Lawrence High School in Falmouth, Mass., and for a time, Suffolk University in Boston, Mass. His calling, however, was the sea, where he ran a research vessel for the Woods Hole Marine Biological Laboratory for many years, worked in marine construction and was captain of a 45-foot commercial fishing dragger.

In the mid 1970s he moved to Brooks, as the Cape was becoming too developed for his taste. Living inland, he became a carpenter with the company Chicken of the Sea, constructing timber frame homes. He established a beautiful homestead, building his own house and hydroelectric dam on the headwaters of the Marsh Stream. He lived there for 24 years, 20 of those with his wife, Lesia Sochor, and their children, Nina and Max Graham.

In the late 1980s he started his mooring business on Penobscot Bay, aptly named Harbor Boat Service. He also began a long career as a tugboat captain with local companies such as Eastern Maine Towing, Pen Bay Towing and Maine Port Towboats.

Peter was known for his blue eyes, rugged individualism and his own particular spin on life. He could fix just about anything. He was a scavenger “par excellence,” the epitome of a thrifty Yankee. His motto was "Use it up, wear it out and make it do or do without."

In fact, he built his chimney from hauling free granite cobblestones from the streets of Boston. Countless hours were spent coaxing ancient machinery into functional use. Old forgotten boats were resurrected by his hand - The Dawn Treader, The Bag Lady and Working Girl all floated proudly on Penobscot Bay. Not only were these boats used for work, but many excursions were had exploring islands, collecting mussels and having wonderful lobster feeds with family and friends.

He was a great story teller, loved limericks, had a generous laugh and greeted people by saying “Top of the day.”

He is survived by his daughter, Nina, a financial planner living in Corning, N.Y., with her husband, Michael Socha, and their soon-to-be-born first child; his son, Max, is a writer living in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., pursuing the art of comedy. He is also survived by his niece, Heidi Smith; and his nephew, Matthew Bumpus, from Woods Hole, Mass.

May he find true peace.

Memorial services to be held at a future date.

Arrangements are under the care of Riposta Funeral Home.