SPRUCE HEAD — Gene Drinkwater, 62, died peacefully Aug. 23, 2015, surrounded by his loving family, and his best friend, Dale Johnson, at Pen Bay Medical Center in Rockport.

Born in Rockland on Aug. 19, 1953, he was the son of Walter and Edith Dunbar Drinkwater. Gene grew up in Spruce Head, and although active in the Rockland community, it was his beloved Spruce Head he called home.

He attended local schools and was a 1971 graduate of Georges Valley High School.

Gene began his career and love of the water at a young age. When he was just 7 years old, he began lobster fishing with his father, often taking a nap in the specially made place to nap in the wheelhouse. After graduating high school he continued lobstering, owning his own boat and later a lobster business. When his sons came along, he brought them aboard, with both of them actively involved to this day.

For more than 40 years Gene has been a fixture in the Rockland youth sports community. He began coaching football for Rockland Junior High School with coach Ed Mazurek, who later brought him up to coach at Rockland District High School. He coached there for several years until his own children were born. As his sons grew and became interested in football, Gene was instrumental in getting the pee-wee football program up and running again. Gene followed his boys, coaching both middle school and high school football at Rockland for many years. When not on the football field, he could be found on the baseball diamond, coaching several championship winning Little League teams.

After taking a brief break from coaching, Gene took on his daughter's seventh-grade softball team at Rockland District Middle School; this team held a special place in his heart. He continued with this group of girls, leading them to the Busline League Championship the following year. Even as his health declined, Gene was still coaching this past spring. He had a passion for it and he did it well.

Gene knew coaching was not just about the X's and O's of the game. He strove each and every day to positively affect the lives of the children he was working with. Not a season went by that he wasn't mentoring a child, helping one keep their grades up or personally providing pairs of cleats for kids who couldn't afford them. He not only taught the techniques of the game, he helped kids master important life lessons along the way. He will be sadly missed both on and off the field.

Gene is survived by his parents, Walter and Edith Drinkwater of Spruce Head; his wife, Janet Drinkwater; his children, Blair Drinkwater and his companion, Laura Wiley, Westley Drinkwater and his wife, Kasey, and Maggie Drinkwater, all of Spruce Head; his sister, Terri Hall of Spruce Head; his 'girly girls' (granddaughters) Chloe and Reese Drinkwater; his nieces and nephew, Courtnie Hall, Bria Hall, and James Hall and his partner, Deidre; many great-nieces and great-nephews; his 'grandgogs' (his son's dogs); as well as a large, loving extended family, and too many friends to count.

A gathering of love and remembrance will be held Sunday, Sept. 6 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Rockland Lodge of Elks, 210 Rankin St. in Rockland.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841 or Oceanside Athletic Department, c/o Oceanside High School East, 400 Broadway, Rockland, ME 04841.

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.