HARPSWELL — Charlie passed away peacefully from complications of cancer on October 22 at Togus VA Hospital with his wife, Beverly, children, and Masonic Brothers at his side.

He was born February 7, 1926 to Charles A. and Affie V. (Morse) Bibber in Harpswell. His eleven brothers and sisters predeceased him: Medreth, Kenneth, Madelene (Chadburn), Genevieve (Walsh), William H., Elroy, Henrietta (Fitz), Evangeline (Bossie), Hilda (Williams), Rosalind (Long), and Catherine (Martin).

Charlie is survived by his wife, Beverly (Baker), of 66 years; two sons: Charles III and John; three daughters: Teeter, Dana Myers and husband Leonard, and Becky Moss; nine grandchildren; four great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Charlie attended Harpswell Schools. On his 18th birthday, he joined the Army Air Corps to prevent being drafted by the Army and leave before graduating with his Brunswick High classmates. After graduation, he reported and trained in Biloxi, MS then on to tour of duty as Flight Engineer for Troop and Cargo Transport stationed at Eagle Farm in Queensland, Australia in the 44 Depot Repair Squadron of the 81st Air Depot Group.

After WWII, Charlie chose to be discharged in the Inactive Reserves. He attended U of M – BNAS but knew he wanted his livelihood to be lobstering. He met his future wife, Beverly Baker, in 1948 and they began planning their life together as they bought land and moved a small house to the property. The following year he bought a small lobster boat. In June, with his new boat, the “Beverly Jean”, launched and traps in the water, Charlie received a letter from Uncle Sam requesting he re-enlist. Although his reply was “not interested”, a telegram followed at the end of July requiring he return to Active Duty and report to Fort Dix on August 10th. The Fall wedding was called off. Very sad times, the future now looked dim. Charlie decided he wanted to get married before he left. So, on August 5, they celebrated with a rushed but beautiful wedding. The honeymoon consisted of visiting various family members and heavy-hearted goodbyes. He headed off to report to Duty and the boat, lobster traps, and equipment that were in the water were taken up by his brother and other fishermen and put on the bank.

Beverly joined him in November at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C where he was stationed as an aircraft maintenance instructor.

In late 1952, Charlie, his wife, and their new baby moved back to Harpswell. He returned to lobstering, worked as a boatbuilder at Henry Barnes’ boat shop, fished sardines with family, and began a business of boat storage and marine engine repair. He also worked Winter nights to built a larger lobster boat, the “Butch & Teeter”. Once she was launched in 1957, he seasonally lobstered and operated the boatyard and a marine engine repair shop year-round. Charlie was also a member of Carpenters Local 407 and 517 and worked at Maine Yankee and Seabrook Station Nuclear Power Plants and several CMP power-generating plants as winter work.

It gave him great pleasure to be on the water, in his boat, hauling traps and catching lobsters well into his 80’s.

Charlie loved life most when he was working or helping others. He was proud to have been part of forming the first West Harpswell fire department with its young and old firefighters and hand-me-down firetruck; to have been one of the fishermen who knew local waters so well that he was often called in dense fog and storms to assist the Coast Guard; and, that he could provide the tools and knowledge or do the job for anyone who had a problem with their boat, engine, plumbing, etc. He was proud of the Town of Harpswell and his Country.

Most of all, Charlie loved his wife and family.

Charlie appreciated, and his family will always be thankful for, the loving care provided by Togus VA Hospital, and, especially, the fulltime care during the last week of his life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Charles A. Bibber Jr. may be made to the Leukemia Program Development Fund (Fund Number: 310260) at The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, P.O. Box 183112, Columbus, OH 43218-3112 or http://www.supportohiostate.org/site/TR?px=1032030&fr_id=1150&pg=personal

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, 2016, at West Harpswell Baptist Church, 1492 Harpswell Neck Road, Harpswell.