When Kenneth Grahame wrote the words, "There is absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats" he could have been describing Bill Gribbel. He lived it and he breathed it. He thought everyone should do it and do it correctly, as any of his students from Camp Kieve in Nobleboro will testify.

CAMDEN — William Griffin “Bill” Gribbel died Aug. 16, 2015, at his home in Camden. He was born Dec. 17, 1921, and was the son of W. Griffin Gribbel and Margaret Latta Gribbel in Chestnut Hill, Pa.

His grandfathers were John Gribbel, founder of the American Meter Company, and William Latta, the first secretary of the Pennsylvania Railroad. John Gribbel and Elizabeth Banker Gribbel were the builders of Weatherend in Rockport, a wedding gift to Margaret L. Gribbel, and the builders of Beech Nut, the house atop Beech Hill.

Bill was a graduate of Taft School in Watertown, Connecticut, and afterward, Yale University in New Haven, Conn. Yale, through an accelerated program, allowed him to graduate in three years after which he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. During the Second World War, he saw combat with the Marines in the Mariana Islands, Pacific Theater. He worked in the Philadelphia area after the war as an investment broker starting off at Benning and Company, retiring and moving to his beloved family home in Rockport permanently in 1976.

He was an avid oarsman and small boat enthusiast. In Philadelphia, Bill was a member of the Undine Barge Club, known for the Castle Ringstetten and rowing on the Schuylkill River. For many years he helped and supported the Short Ship Regatta and was a member of the Camden Yacht Club and Megunticook Golf Club. Another of his passions was The Apprenticeshop in Rockland, focusing on craftsmanship and seamanship of small boats. He could be seen year round in Camden and Rockport harbors. In summer he would be rowing between and around all of the boat traffic. During the cold months he used a small pick axe to break the ice around his dory, peapod, wherry or whitehall, rowing out having the harbor almost to himself. For several years he wrote columns, titled Across the Bow, for the Camden Herald. When it came time that he couldn't venture out, he used a rowing machine daily.

Bill was also a huge supporter of the Camden-Rockport Animal Rescue League, now P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center, and could often be spotted on the roads of Rockport walking large packs of dogs. He walked the dogs all year long regardless of the weather. His comment, after being cautioned about slipping on the ice, was that if he fell and broke his leg the dogs could just drag him home.

Bill is survived by his third wife, Rhoda A. Gribbel of Quarry Hill; his daughter, Catharine Gribbel-Beautyman and her husband, William, of Pittsfield, Masss.; and his sons, James L. Gribbel II and his wife, Mary, of Freeport, Theodore G. Gribbel and his wife, Susie, of Freeport, and William W. Gribbel of Wenham, Mass.; 10 grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and his caregiver, Amy Spinney Ricker.

He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings, Margaret G. Hubbard, Elizabeth G. Bregy, John Gribbel, Katherine G. Carter and his identical twin brother, James L. Gribbel.

A celebration of his life is planned for family and friends Saturday, Aug. 29 at 3 p.m. at The Point.

If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to P.A.W.S., P.O. Box 707, Rockport, ME 04856.

Arrangements are with Long Funeral Home & Cremation Service.