Jonesport - Bernard "Bennie" Adrian Beal passed away November 19, 2022, at the age of 90, at Marshall Health Care and Rehabilitation, Machias, Maine. He was born on Beals Island, July 23, 1932, the son of Elihu and Laura (Backman) Beal.
He attended Beals Elementary School and graduated from Beals High School in 1950. Bennie was a member of the Jonesport Masons Lodge No. 188. Bennie's occupation was commercial fishing. If a species lived in the ocean, he has probably fished for it - lobsters, scallops, quahogs and he also hand-lined for fish, fishing all along the Eastern coast from the Canadian border to Rhode Island and everywhere in between. He was the first to lobster fish near Seal Island, and he fished the Canyons on the Continental Shelf alongside Russian fishing vessels in a 45ft boat, the "Ann Marie." Bennie worked to form his own lobster company, Beals Lobster Co. Inc. As a wholesale seafood dealer, he sold not only lobsters but built a business around quahogging. He lived an adventure-filled life and has been referred to as a "Pioneer."
Bennie grew up building boats of many types with his father and grandfather, Riley Beal. He built many of his own fishing and racing boats and chose to finish purchased boat hulls to his own specifications.
Bennie was well-known for his love of lobster boat racing. One of his better-known boats was the "Stella Ann," which he built and raced for years before selling it. Years later, he located the boat which was found deteriorated in a wooded area. He and his uncle, Herman Backman Jr., rebuilt the "Stella Ann" in the cellar of Bennie's home. He then began racing the "Stella Ann" again. The "Stella Ann" is now housed at The Beals Historical Society, Beals, Maine, where many of his race trophies will be moved. He raced other boats as well, the most infamous being "Benny's Bitch." Not to be outdone, he even rowed and won peapod races with his son-in-law, Dale Smith.
Bennie loved to go to hunting camps with friends and family. The time spent hunting, being with his friends, meant a lot to him, whether hunting for deer, bear, moose or seabirds.
Bennie is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ann Oulton Beal; his daughters, Estella and husband, Dale Smith, Rebecca Beal and life partner, Robert Johnson, and Bessie and husband, Brent Crowley; grandchildren, Rebecca and husband, Charles Peabody, Jennifer and husband, Daniel Francis, Melissa Beal, Kristina and husband, Cole Knabenshue, and Meghan Crowley; great-grandchildren, Johanna Peabody, Jareb Peabody, Hailey and husband, Michael Scott, Kellen Beal, and Terra Knabenshue; and great-great-grandchildren, Preston Scott and Harlow Scott. Bennie is also survived by his brother, Elihu Beal IV "Pepper" and wife, Donna; sister-in-law, Sara Beal; and a special godson, Bernard Pratt and his wife, Lorraine, both who offered constant support for the family during Bennie's illness. Bennie was predeceased by his parents; sister; Alverna Williams and husband; Donald Williams; brother, Lewis Beal; and great-granddaughter, Jessalyn Peabody.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias, where online condolences may be shared: bragdonkelley.com.
To send flowers to the family of Bernard "Bennie" Adrian Beal, please visit Tribute Store.
Published on November 26, 2022
He attended Beals Elementary School and graduated from Beals High School in 1950. Bennie was a member of the Jonesport Masons Lodge No. 188. Bennie's occupation was commercial fishing. If a species lived in the ocean, he has probably fished for it - lobsters, scallops, quahogs and he also hand-lined for fish, fishing all along the Eastern coast from the Canadian border to Rhode Island and everywhere in between. He was the first to lobster fish near Seal Island, and he fished the Canyons on the Continental Shelf alongside Russian fishing vessels in a 45ft boat, the "Ann Marie." Bennie worked to form his own lobster company, Beals Lobster Co. Inc. As a wholesale seafood dealer, he sold not only lobsters but built a business around quahogging. He lived an adventure-filled life and has been referred to as a "Pioneer."
Bennie grew up building boats of many types with his father and grandfather, Riley Beal. He built many of his own fishing and racing boats and chose to finish purchased boat hulls to his own specifications.
Bennie was well-known for his love of lobster boat racing. One of his better-known boats was the "Stella Ann," which he built and raced for years before selling it. Years later, he located the boat which was found deteriorated in a wooded area. He and his uncle, Herman Backman Jr., rebuilt the "Stella Ann" in the cellar of Bennie's home. He then began racing the "Stella Ann" again. The "Stella Ann" is now housed at The Beals Historical Society, Beals, Maine, where many of his race trophies will be moved. He raced other boats as well, the most infamous being "Benny's Bitch." Not to be outdone, he even rowed and won peapod races with his son-in-law, Dale Smith.
Bennie loved to go to hunting camps with friends and family. The time spent hunting, being with his friends, meant a lot to him, whether hunting for deer, bear, moose or seabirds.
Bennie is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ann Oulton Beal; his daughters, Estella and husband, Dale Smith, Rebecca Beal and life partner, Robert Johnson, and Bessie and husband, Brent Crowley; grandchildren, Rebecca and husband, Charles Peabody, Jennifer and husband, Daniel Francis, Melissa Beal, Kristina and husband, Cole Knabenshue, and Meghan Crowley; great-grandchildren, Johanna Peabody, Jareb Peabody, Hailey and husband, Michael Scott, Kellen Beal, and Terra Knabenshue; and great-great-grandchildren, Preston Scott and Harlow Scott. Bennie is also survived by his brother, Elihu Beal IV "Pepper" and wife, Donna; sister-in-law, Sara Beal; and a special godson, Bernard Pratt and his wife, Lorraine, both who offered constant support for the family during Bennie's illness. Bennie was predeceased by his parents; sister; Alverna Williams and husband; Donald Williams; brother, Lewis Beal; and great-granddaughter, Jessalyn Peabody.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias, where online condolences may be shared: bragdonkelley.com.
To send flowers to the family of Bernard "Bennie" Adrian Beal, please visit Tribute Store.
Published on November 26, 2022
Jonesport - Bernard "Bennie" Adrian Beal passed away November 19, 2022, at the age of 90, at Marshall Health Care and Rehabilitation, Machias, Maine. He was born on Beals Island, July 23, 1932, the son of Elihu and Laura (Backman) Beal.
He attended Beals Elementary School and graduated from Beals High School in 1950. Bennie was a member of the Jonesport Masons Lodge No. 188. Bennie's occupation was commercial fishing. If a species lived in the ocean, he has probably fished for it - lobsters, scallops, quahogs and he also hand-lined for fish, fishing all along the Eastern coast from the Canadian border to Rhode Island and everywhere in between. He was the first to lobster fish near Seal Island, and he fished the Canyons on the Continental Shelf alongside Russian fishing vessels in a 45ft boat, the "Ann Marie." Bennie worked to form his own lobster company, Beals Lobster Co. Inc. As a wholesale seafood dealer, he sold not only lobsters but built a business around quahogging. He lived an adventure-filled life and has been referred to as a "Pioneer."
Bennie grew up building boats of many types with his father and grandfather, Riley Beal. He built many of his own fishing and racing boats and chose to finish purchased boat hulls to his own specifications.
Bennie was well-known for his love of lobster boat racing. One of his better-known boats was the "Stella Ann," which he built and raced for years before selling it. Years later, he located the boat which was found deteriorated in a wooded area. He and his uncle, Herman Backman Jr., rebuilt the "Stella Ann" in the cellar of Bennie's home. He then began racing the "Stella Ann" again. The "Stella Ann" is now housed at The Beals Historical Society, Beals, Maine, where many of his race trophies will be moved. He raced other boats as well, the most infamous being "Benny's Bitch." Not to be outdone, he even rowed and won peapod races with his son-in-law, Dale Smith.
Bennie loved to go to hunting camps with friends and family. The time spent hunting, being with his friends, meant a lot to him, whether hunting for deer, bear, moose or seabirds.
Bennie is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ann Oulton Beal; his daughters, Estella and husband, Dale Smith, Rebecca Beal and life partner, Robert Johnson, and Bessie and husband, Brent Crowley; grandchildren, Rebecca and husband, Charles Peabody, Jennifer and husband, Daniel Francis, Melissa Beal, Kristina and husband, Cole Knabenshue, and Meghan Crowley; great-grandchildren, Johanna Peabody, Jareb Peabody, Hailey and husband, Michael Scott, Kellen Beal, and Terra Knabenshue; and great-great-grandchildren, Preston Scott and Harlow Scott. Bennie is also survived by his brother, Elihu Beal IV "Pepper" and wife, Donna; sister-in-law, Sara Beal; and a special godson, Bernard Pratt and his wife, Lorraine, both who offered constant support for the family during Bennie's illness. Bennie was predeceased by his parents; sister; Alverna Williams and husband; Donald Williams; brother, Lewis Beal; and great-granddaughter, Jessalyn Peabody.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias, where online condolences may be shared: bragdonkelley.com.
To send flowers to the family of Bernard "Bennie" Adrian Beal, please visit Tribute Store.
Published on November 26, 2022
He attended Beals Elementary School and graduated from Beals High School in 1950. Bennie was a member of the Jonesport Masons Lodge No. 188. Bennie's occupation was commercial fishing. If a species lived in the ocean, he has probably fished for it - lobsters, scallops, quahogs and he also hand-lined for fish, fishing all along the Eastern coast from the Canadian border to Rhode Island and everywhere in between. He was the first to lobster fish near Seal Island, and he fished the Canyons on the Continental Shelf alongside Russian fishing vessels in a 45ft boat, the "Ann Marie." Bennie worked to form his own lobster company, Beals Lobster Co. Inc. As a wholesale seafood dealer, he sold not only lobsters but built a business around quahogging. He lived an adventure-filled life and has been referred to as a "Pioneer."
Bennie grew up building boats of many types with his father and grandfather, Riley Beal. He built many of his own fishing and racing boats and chose to finish purchased boat hulls to his own specifications.
Bennie was well-known for his love of lobster boat racing. One of his better-known boats was the "Stella Ann," which he built and raced for years before selling it. Years later, he located the boat which was found deteriorated in a wooded area. He and his uncle, Herman Backman Jr., rebuilt the "Stella Ann" in the cellar of Bennie's home. He then began racing the "Stella Ann" again. The "Stella Ann" is now housed at The Beals Historical Society, Beals, Maine, where many of his race trophies will be moved. He raced other boats as well, the most infamous being "Benny's Bitch." Not to be outdone, he even rowed and won peapod races with his son-in-law, Dale Smith.
Bennie loved to go to hunting camps with friends and family. The time spent hunting, being with his friends, meant a lot to him, whether hunting for deer, bear, moose or seabirds.
Bennie is survived by his wife of 71 years, Ann Oulton Beal; his daughters, Estella and husband, Dale Smith, Rebecca Beal and life partner, Robert Johnson, and Bessie and husband, Brent Crowley; grandchildren, Rebecca and husband, Charles Peabody, Jennifer and husband, Daniel Francis, Melissa Beal, Kristina and husband, Cole Knabenshue, and Meghan Crowley; great-grandchildren, Johanna Peabody, Jareb Peabody, Hailey and husband, Michael Scott, Kellen Beal, and Terra Knabenshue; and great-great-grandchildren, Preston Scott and Harlow Scott. Bennie is also survived by his brother, Elihu Beal IV "Pepper" and wife, Donna; sister-in-law, Sara Beal; and a special godson, Bernard Pratt and his wife, Lorraine, both who offered constant support for the family during Bennie's illness. Bennie was predeceased by his parents; sister; Alverna Williams and husband; Donald Williams; brother, Lewis Beal; and great-granddaughter, Jessalyn Peabody.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Machias, where online condolences may be shared: bragdonkelley.com.
To send flowers to the family of Bernard "Bennie" Adrian Beal, please visit Tribute Store.
Published on November 26, 2022
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