Richard B. Cratty passed away on January 16, 2025. Richard “Dick” was born in Bangor, Maine, at the Bangor General Hospital, to parents Reginald and Mary Cratty. Dick attended grammar school in Bangor. He then attended Admiral Farragut Naval Academy Prep School. Subsequently he graduated in 1953 from Maine Maritime Academy.
In the Korean War, Dick was a Navy lieutenant and a navigator on a hospital ship. Dick returned to Bangor after his tour of duty. In 1954 he married Frances Ross. Shortly after, they started a family.
Dick opened a bowling alley in Bangor, Bowlmor Lanes, to cater to the local service members since he was a Navy vet. In 1961 a job offer from American Export Lines set Dick’s course for a long and successful career in the shipping industry. The family moved from Maine to New Jersey, since Dick’s office was in New York. In 1967 as Dick’s career progressed, he gained industry notoriety and was offered a significant position with Kaiser shipping in Oakland, California. Due to this, the family moved to San Rafael, California. In the mid-1970s, due to a change in family dynamics, Dick moved to Los Angeles for another job in the shipping industry, where he continued to excel. For the next three decades, Dick formed and was part of many successful shipping industry ventures. He also received his certification as a maritime arbitrator. In 2015, he and his first wife, Frances Ross, decided that they wanted to spend their final years together. Dick moved to Santa Rosa, California, where he resided until he passed.
He was preceded in death by Scott and Christopher Cratty. He is survived by sons, Rick and wife, Jill, and Tim and wife, Julie; daughters, Samantha and Meghan; grandchildren and one great-grandson; and his half siblings, Louise Holmes and Jim Cratty.
The post Richard B. Cratty ’53 appeared first on Alumni.
Latest Eight Bells
- Charles L. Hooper ’56Charles Lee Hooper, 90, of Gales Ferry, passed away peacefully Sunday Sept. 21, 2025, at his residence. Charles was born Dec. 2, 1934, in Biddeford, Maine to Verner Ethelbrick Hooper and Louise Mildred Wilcox Hooper. He married Nancy Ann Clair April 23, 1960. She preceded him in death May 23, 2021. After graduating from Maine […] The post Charles L. Hooper ’56 appeared first on Alumni.
- Arthur F. Wardwell, Jr. ’58Captain Arthur F. Wardwell Jr. “Sonny”, age 88, of San Diego, California and Castine, Maine, passed away peacefully at his home on July 10th, 2025 keeping his last watch over San Diego Harbor. Art was born on March 13th, 1937 in Bangor Maine, the youngest child of Arthur F. Wardwell and Mildred “McMahone” Wardwell. He attended Bangor […] The post Arthur F. Wardwell, Jr. ’58 appeared first on Alumni.
- David J. Wade ’67North Andover – David James Wade, 81, of Wolfeboro, NH, passed away peacefully on August 25, 2025, after a courageous battle with dementia. He was the beloved husband of Clara (Chambers) Wade, with whom he shared many cherished years. David was the son of the late N. Kenmure and Ruth Wade. Born in Lynn, MA, […] The post David J. Wade ’67 appeared first on Alumni.
- Capt. Gregory G. Smith ’11Capt. Gregory Granville Smith, 36, of Portland, passed away on Aug. 24, 2025. He was born in Portland on Dec. 5, 1988, the son of Mark Smith and Joan Abbott, a brother to Meaghan Catherine Smith, and the loving partner of Sydney Richard. He is also survived by his stepmother, Amy Clements; step-siblings James MacKinnon, […] The post Capt. Gregory G. Smith ’11 appeared first on Alumni.
- Capt. Nicholas E. Salata ’68Nicholas (Nikk) Edward Salata passed away peacefully at his home in North Berwick, Maine on Aug. 6, 2025, with his family by his side. He was 79 years old. Born July 8, 1946, at Saint Andrew’s Hospital in Boothbay Harbor to Nickolas Salata of Hamtramck, MI and Gwendolyn Brackett of Boothbay Harbor. Nikk’s early childhood […] The post Capt. Nicholas E. Salata ’68 appeared first on Alumni.
- Fenton R. McAvoy ’53Fenton R. “Dude” McAvoy, 92, of East Hartford, CT and formerly of East Millinocket, ME, died peacefully on Wednesday, July 23, 2025 with his family by his side at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, CT. He was the loving husband of 52 years of the late Ann Marie (O’Mara) McAvoy. Born in Millinocket, Maine on January […] The post Fenton R. McAvoy ’53 appeared first on Alumni.