VINALHAVEN — Lewis W. Romer Jr., 79, died peacefully May 18, 2014, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport, with his loving wife of 51 years at his side.

Born on Vinalhaven on Nov. 6, 1934, he was the son of Lewis Sr. and Alda Smith Romer. He was educated on the island and served proudly in the United States Army, beginning in 1954.

Since childhood, Lew spent most of his time on the sea, in and out of fishing boats whenever anyone would take him along. He got his first full-time site on the F/V Romley and headed for Gloucester, Mass., when he was just 16. It was there he was fortunate to crew with fellow fisherman, Stevie Dow, who remained a good friend throughout his life. Fishing out of Gloucester for several years, he returned to the island in his mid-20s and sterned for local lobsterman, Penny Coombs, before captaining his first boat, The Ugly Duckling.

On Dec. 1, 1962, he married Lida L. York and together they made Vinalhaven their homeport for their entire married life. He later had the F/V Sheri Lynn built in Canada, but his real pride and joy was Sheri Lynn II, a 37-foot wooden hull built and finished in Vinalhaven by Phil Dyer and launched in 1987.

Lew was a dedicated fan of the Boston Red Sox and a trip to Fenway Park was a treasured memory. He both enjoyed and appreciated his life. For him there was no place like Vinalhaven and what little time not spent on the water or in the shop, he enjoyed exploring the shores and woods of the island. Most recently he loved to go for walks in town and could be seen walking daily, with his wife at his side, a smile on his face and happy to stop and chat if he met you.

Lewis is survived by his beloved wife, Lida of Vinalhaven; his son William Romer of Rockland; his daughter Sheri Romer-Day, her husband Jason, and his grandsons, Alex and Gabe Day of Vinalhaven; a brother, Victor Romer of Pensacola, FL; sisters, Paula Howard and her husband Leslie of Westbrook and Lois Thomas of Hartford, CT. He was pre-deceased by his brothers Frank Smith and Daniel Romer and his sisters, Mary Goldstein and Margaret Chittick.

As he wished, Mr. Romer's family has chosen to remember his life privately, in a fishing boat on the sea.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Vinalhaven Fisherman's Award (used to purchase gear for a deserving, recent Vinalhaven graduate, who aspires to fish), PO Box 718, Vinalhaven, ME 04863 or Vinalhaven Emergency Medical Services (an organization invaluable to islanders and their ability to live on island and to which the Romer family is very grateful), 13 Medical Center Loop, Vinalhaven, ME 04863

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