ROCKLAND — Your friend, our father, Alvah passed away on March 7, 2018 from complications of health maladies. Alvah completed 89 years of an extremely active and satisfying life. He enjoyed people and made being with all of us a priority throughout his life. That was his definition of richness.

Alvah, born Oct. 28 1928 in Rockland, ME, is the son of Lavon and Julia Ames. He was the sixth of eight children.

Alvah's path in life included his personal glory and pride of serving his country. This started with his enlistment in the U.S.Navy as a 17 year old at the end of WWII and ended in 1969 as honorably discharged from the U..S. Army as Chief Warrant Officer having also served in the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Alvah with wife Dorothea (Woodcock) and three children (Michael, Denise, Dwayne) would return home and commence his next working career as a lobster fisherman on Matinicus. We were welcomed home and supported by family and friends alike in this transition and he would remain actively fishing well into his 86th year.

Alvah's experiences, shared through his story telling, were quite interesting, colorful and amazing when one considers his place of origin. He was proof that any kid, regardless of social class, could, with ambition, perseverance, courage and a plan, successfully achieve their dreams. This behavior also confirmed by the willingness of others in their kindness and support to help him and he returning the support. This poor but proud boy from Matinicus was a capital success for himself, his family and his country. He wished this for everyone; family, friends, all people.

Alvah wanted no sorrow over his passing and said many times that everyday after 75 was a bonus and that life owed him nothing. He wanted all of us to reflect and hopefully find celebration in his life as a way to help us move forward in our own successes. And, do so in proper attitude, respect, patience and kindness. Or, one word: Love.

There will be a service and celebration late spring or early summer. Please know that our family deeply appreciates everyone's kindness and reaching out to us during this mysterious moment of life.

Alvah is survived by many and none of you/us more important than the other. However, he did have favorites!

Any consideration for donations in memory should be directed to the Shriners Hospital for Children, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104; as Alvah was a Shriner and strongly believed in the philanthropy efforts of this esteemed organization.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home, 110 Limerock Street, Rockland. To share a memory or condolence with Alvah's family, please visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.