The Honorable Judge Alan Crosby Pease, 95, passed away Sept. 2, 2026, surrounded by his beloved family. 

Known as “Al” to family and friends and “Dubda” to his grandchildren, he was born Oct. 11, 1930, to Harvey Roscoe Pease and Grace Crosby Pease at their home on Water Street in Wiscasset. He often joked about his name and birthplace, calling himself “Alan Pease on Water Street.”

Al attended Wiscasset schools through the eighth grade and graduated from Lincoln Academy in nearby Newcastle. He commuted to high school in his Model A, starting a lifelong love of antique automobiles. He later owned a Model T, which he proudly drove throughout the Midcoast and in countless local parades. Along with his older sister, Virginia “Ginny” Pease Dogherty, Al carried forward a deep appreciation for the family’s Maine roots and enduring connection to Wiscasset.

He attended the University of Maine at Orono and graduated in 1952 with a degree in government. During his final semester at Orono, he met the love of his life, Margaret “Marnie” Murray. They married in December 1952 and shared 68 wonderful years together until her death in 2021.

After college, Al enlisted in the U.S. Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia, as a first lieutenant. Marnie joined him there soon after their wedding. Because of his earlier experience operating a hot dog stand, he was assigned to oversee the base commissary. He also instructed fellow soldiers in the Uniform Code of Military Justice. His original Wiscasset stand, Al’s Eats, helped put him through law school and would later become Red’s Eats, the Wiscasset lobster roll landmark known around the world. While operating Al’s Eats, he proudly created the “Sturdley,” a grilled hot dog with cheese that remains on the Red’s Eats menu today.

Al earned his Juris Doctor from Boston University School of Law in 1957. While living in Boston’s Beacon Hill neighborhood, Al and Marnie welcomed their firstborn child, Kathryn. They later welcomed their son, Daniel, who was born at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta.

After law school, Al returned to Wiscasset and established his legal practice in the historic Macurda House. He and Marnie made their home on land once owned by his father, known within the family as “Overcasset.” During those years, he served as chair of the Wiscasset School Board. From 1963 to 1964, he represented Wiscasset in the Maine Legislature.

In 1978, Al joined the Maine District Court, where he served until his retirement in 1990. He spent nine years as deputy chief judge and his final year as chief judge. During his judicial career, he was also the first chair of the Maine Court Technology Task Force. An early adopter of Apple computers, he helped computerize the district court system and later taught adult education courses in computer science. After retiring from the Maine District Court, Al served an additional three years as an active retired District Court judge. He remained involved in Maine’s legal community through his work with the Knox County Law Library.

Al was a proud and lifelong supporter of the University of Maine. He served as co-president of the University of Maine Class of 1952 alumni chapter and took great pride in his alma mater. He also enjoyed classic films, the Red Sox, the Celtics, cats, cross country skiing and sailing.

Al and Marnie shared a curiosity about the world and a love of staying active. They learned French, participated in many Elderhostel programs, and planned bicycle trips around the world, making many dear friends along the way. Avid tennis players, they belonged to several tennis groups over the years.

After Al retired from the Maine District Court, he and Marnie moved to Turkey Cove in St. George and made their home at “The Saltbox.” There, they moored their sailboat, enjoyed birdwatching and welcomed a steady stream of family and friends. Their four grandchildren, Kate, Sam, Will and Joe, spent particularly treasured time there. Family memories include collecting sea glass, grilling hotdogs on the deck and swimming in the St. George River.

Al and Marnie later relocated to Camden, where they lived for many years on Curtis Avenue before moving to Quarry Hill. There, they made many friends and enjoyed a close sense of community.

He is survived by his daughter, Kathryn P. Foss, and her husband, Capt. John Foss; his son, Capt. Dan Pease, and his wife, Katherine Pease; and his grandchildren, Sam Foss and his wife, Stephanie Liu, and their children, Henry and Evan Foss; Kate Foss and her husband, Ronnie Parikh; Joe Pease and his wife, Joanna Hynd; and Will Pease and his wife, Tam Thai, and their children, Leo and Sophia Pease. He is also survived by beloved family friend Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, who came to Wiscasset as the Peases’ AFS exchange student; his wife, Dr. Anna “Antje” Kuchenbecker; their daughter, Judith; and Blair Clement, his devoted companion of several years.

He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Margaret Murray Pease, in 2021, and his beloved sister, Virginia “Ginny” Pease Dogherty, in 2016.

Al will be remembered for his commitment to family, law and public service; his curiosity and good humor; and his deep, lifelong connection to Maine.

Donations in Al’s memory may be made to Pope Memorial Humane Society, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841, or online at popehumane.org.