TENANTS HARBOR — Timothy A. Holmes, 70, died unexpectedly, May 8, 2014, at Miles Memorial Hospital in Damariscotta.

Born in Berlin, N.H., May 23, 1943, he was the son of Arnold F. and Jeanette E. Holmes. At an early age Tim moved with his family to Camden, where he attended local schools. They later moved to Wiley's Corner in St. George, where Tim was a 1961 graduate of St. George High School. That fall he began studies at Maine Maritime Academy, from which he graduated in 1965.

Tim graduated with his U.S. Coast Guard license as a third assistant engineer and later qualified for his second assistant engineer’s license. He also obtained his U.S. Navy Inactive Reserve Commission as an ensign and earned a promotion to lieutenant junior grade. His merchant marine career was spent working for the former American Export Isbrandtsen Lines. His last trip at sea was in 1969 to Vietnam on the S.S. Exmouth, loaded with ammunition and supplies for our troops. Tim really appreciated the overtime work, the hazard cargo bonus and the war zone bonus on that trip, but made the decision to hang up his license and come ashore to be with Gabriele. Some of Tim's trips included classmates and other MMA grads as his shipmates, and they all got to enjoy his famous wit and humor during those long days at sea.

He came ashore in 1970, and on Sept. 4, 1971, Tim married Gabriele B. Rust at the Children's Chapel in Rockport and they moved into their new home on States Point in Tenants Harbor. In 1980 Tim and his wife purchased Halls Market in Tenants Harbor, fulfilling a dream to own and manage his own business where he had worked since he was 12 years old. Together they enjoyed running the market, which became the “hub of the harbor,” for nearly 20 years.

After retiring, Tim became a substitute teacher in St. George and taught all grades in St. George Elementary School and later at Oceanside West. He enjoyed these 15 years immensely.

Devoted to his community, he served on the St. George Board of Selectman from 1980 to 1986, and as chairman from 1983 to 1986. In addition, he served on the St. George Appeals Board from 2000 to 2007 and chaired that board from 2002 to 2006.

Tim loved Baseball. Locally, he played youth, high school and town team ball with the Torpedos, as well as in Old-Timer games. In 2002 he joined the newly formed Maine Woods 45 League in Bath. Playing for the Braves, Tim enjoyed 12 years of baseball and socializing with teammates as well as opponents. Tim became known for the trademark feather in his cap. He was on the Braves' championship teams, and once had four hits in a game at Hadlock Field in Portland, home field of the Portland Sea Dogs. In 2003, Tim embarked on the first of 11 annual trips to play in the Roy Hobbs World Series in Florida with his friend, Don Holstrom. Tim looked forward to baseball, sun and the baseball banter every year. Highlights of his Florida trips were winning a team MVP award in 2010, and playing on a World Series title team in 2011, with a 7–0 record and with Tim batting .300 for the series.

An avid outdoorsman, Tim was a Registered Maine Guide and taught hunter safety, gun safety and outdoor survival for many years for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.

Tim cherished a lifelong friendship with John Ware and his family, which included hunting and fishing trips filled with friendly competition to see who could land the largest fish or bag the biggest Buck. Recently Tim and Gabriele were honored to be chosen as godparents to Jack R. Page, son of Charlie and Susan Ware Page.

Tim obtained a student pilot's license and flew a Piper Cub.

He was a member of the St. George Lodge, No. 132, Order of the Independent Lodge of Odd Fellows from 1970 to 1996.

Besides his beloved wife of 42 years, Gabriele of Tenants Harbor; Tim is survived by two brothers, Jury Holmes of Lancaster, N.H., and Perry B. Holmes and his wife, Carol, of Owls Head; his sister-in-law, Marianne Scaccia of St. George; as well as several nieces and nephews. In addition to his family, Tim developed a special bond with Keenan Joyce, whom he mentored over the years and was proud that Keenan followed in his footsteps at Maine Maritime Academy.

A funeral service will be held Sunday, May 18 at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Church of St. George, 15 Snows Point Road, at Wiley's Corner in St. George. The Rev. William Hickey will officiate. Private interment will follow in North Parish Cemetery. Guests are invited to continue in a celebration of Tim's life at the St. George Grange.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. George Firefighters and Ambulance Association, P.O. Box 249, Tenants Harbor, ME 04860 or Pope Memorial Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841.

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