VINALHAVEN — Alfred S. Osgood, “Al” or “Big Al,” 83, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on Friday, August 14, 2026, at his home in Vinalhaven. In his family, in the commercial fishing industry, and across the island he loved, his passing has not left a hole behind him, but a crater.

Born on June 30, 1943, he was the son of Albert and Isabel (Ames) Osgood. He grew up on Vinalhaven, attending local schools until his graduation in 1961. In 1963, he married the love of his life, Sharon, and they made their home on Vinalhaven, where they raised four children together.

Alfred was a self-made living legend of commercial fishing—a peerless hunter who never once flinched from rough water or a hard day’s work in all his eighty-three years. His life on the water began humbly in a rowboat, hauling lobster traps by hand as a young boy. From those early days, his drive to push further never wavered. He lobstered around Vinalhaven, ventured offshore out of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and eventually pioneered purse seining for herring—using spotter planes and closing off coves with dories around the island.

Always striving to innovate, Alfred commissioned numerous custom boats over the years, all proudly named the Starlight, where his sons had the privilege of fishing alongside him for over a decade. He had a legendary sixth sense for finding fish; many times, he was the only boat out in punishing weather, returning to port "loaded to the gills" while catching fish where others found none. As technology evolved, his fishing operations expanded to pair-trawling from New Bedford and Gloucester up the coast back home.

After "retiring" from herring fishing, he returned to his true passion: lobstering aboard his beloved Starlight Express. He owned three iterations of the vessel, fitting each with the fastest engines available to indulge his passion for lobster boat racing—ultimately clocking an extraordinary 58.9 mph in the Starlight Express. Alfred fished right up until three weeks before his passing, doing what he loved most. What a way to go.

Beyond his legendary work ethic, Alfred built a reputation for quiet generosity, good humor, and singular determination, often telling an off-color story to a rapt audience. He was fearless on the water and soft as anything with his family and friends, never letting either side of himself get in the way of the other.

He was predeceased by his parents, and by his beloved wife, Sharon “Sweetie” Osgood, in 2008.

Alfred is survived by his children: David Osgood and his wife Elaine, Teresa Kaczynski and her husband Joe, Heather Reidy and her husband Norman, and Justin “Jupe” Osgood and his wife Faith. He leaves behind his cherished grandchildren: Chelsea Walker, Nicole Osgood, Steven Osgood, Joe Reidy, Jack Reidy, Corbin Osgood, Logan Osgood, and Katrina McAuliffe; and his great-grandchildren: Luca, Aria, Meyers, Milena, Deacon, Oakley, Ayla, and Gemma.

Other people who meant the world to him and who will miss him deeply include his loyal and feisty sternwoman of 25 years, Wendy “The Butterfly” Bickford; his incredible friends Wyatt Anderson and Dennis Warren; his lifelong buddy and partner in crime, Bart “The Hopper” Hopkins; and his loving, mischievous best friend and brother, Lee “Pal” Osgood and his wife, Ann.

Per Alfred’s wishes, a private family gathering will be held.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Island Community Medical Services, 15 Medical Center Loop, Vinalhaven, ME 04863, or online at icmsvh.org/donate. Cards of condolence may be sent to the Osgood Family, PO Box 358, Vinalhaven, ME 04863.

To share a story or memory with the Osgood family, please visit their Book of Memories at bchfh.com. Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter, & Hutchins Funeral Home, Rockland.

Sea-Fever, by John Masefield

I must go down to the seas again, to the lonely sea and the sky,

And all I ask is a tall ship and a star to steer her by;

And the wheel’s kick and the wind’s song and the white sail’s shaking,

And a grey mist on the sea’s face, and a grey dawn breaking.

I must go down to the seas again, for the call of the running tide

Is a wild call and a clear call that may not be denied;

And all I ask is a windy day with the white clouds flying,

And the flung spray and the blown spume, and the sea-gulls crying.

I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,

To the gull’s way and the whale’s way where the wind’s like a whetted knife;

And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,

And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick’s over.