Obituary of Robert Woody Greeke

Robert Woodrow "Woody" Greeke, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2011 in Brunswick from complications due to pancreatic cancer. He was born in Gloucester, MA on May 2, 1945 to Woodrow Lincoln Greeke and Cora Blanche (Lane) Greeke. He attended schools in Rockport and Gloucester where he was a member of the class of 1963. Fond memories of his childhood were the summers he spent with his grandparents in Rockport, where he would help deliver ice with his grandfather, Dana Lane, the last ice man in the town. He loved spending summer days at Back Beach, where he learned to swim with his father and older sister Marcia. His deep love of the ocean led him to join the Gloucester Sea Scouts, where he reached the rank of Quarter Master, the equivalent of Eagle Scout. While he was in Sea Scouts, he developed a love of rowing which led him to compete and win in the International Dory Races between the U.S. and Canada. Despite a broken thole pin, Woody and his dory-mate Ronald Ottens, were the first American junior’s division team to beat a Canadian team in Canada at the September 1963 race in Lunenburg. Woody competed in dory racing until the early 1970’s. He continued competitive rowing in the St. Peter’s Fiesta seine boat races as a member of the “All Beefers” team which won the race three consecutive years, the first team to do so. Woody served in the United States Coast Guard in both active duty and the reserves. A portion of his Coast Guard service was aboard the 225 foot Coast Guard Cutter Mendota which was assigned to the International North Atlantic Weather Patrol, a multi-nation effort providing guidance to trans-Atlantic aircraft at a time when it took at least 12 hours for planes to make the crossing. There were approximately 15 North Atlantic stations (a ten mile square of the ocean). They were strung across the North Atlantic covering an area from Greenland to east of Bermuda. Woody covered them all. On August 28, 1971, he married his soul mate, Ellen Killilea, and for the next 39 years they shared many adventures together. They were frequently seen sailing in Gloucester in their beloved Triangle Class sailboat “Hyacinth”. In 1975, Woody started the Cape Ann Dory Company. The business has continued through the ownership of his longtime friend, Geno Mondello. Following several years of recreational dog sledding in Maine, they decided to move to Andover, Maine where they could spend more time pursuing the sport they loved. Not wanting to forget their connection to the ocean, they named their kennel “Sea Wind”. The size of their kennel increased to twenty-two registered Siberian huskies, many of whom were named after famous fishing schooners out of Gloucester. They raced all over New England and, while never winning a race, were one of the most photographed teams. Woody designed, built and sold hand-tied training and racing dog sleds. He took advantage of all that the Maine woods had to offer including, fly fishing, smelting, hunting, snowmobiling, snow shoeing, cross-country skiing, sugaring off in the spring, raising pigs, ducks, geese and chickens, and cultivating large vegetable gardens. While living in Andover, Woody began a residential and small commercial construction business. He also worked for Daniel Construction as the Civil Superintendent during a major construction project at Boise Cascade Paper Company in Rumford. He served as the town’s Code Enforcement Officer, moderator at town meetings, Boy Scout leader for several years, and he was a member of the town’s volunteer fire department. On December 5, 1981, he was raised to a Master Mason at Bethel Lodge No.97. On November 10, 1988 he was elected Worshipful Master of his lodge and served as Master for the 1989 year. He was also a member of Blazing Star Lodge No. 30 in Rumford, Royal Arch Masons Oxford Chapter No. 29, and Naomi Chapter No. 25, Order of the Eastern Star in Tenants Harbor. He and his wife were very active at the Rumford Grange when they lived in western Maine, and last year received their certificates as twenty-five year members of the National Grange. In 1998, they relocated to Tenants Harbor where his wife accepted a new position. Once again, the draw of the ocean made him feel at home. Having direct access to a tidal cove, Woody built a float so they could enjoy boating and swimming right from their own backyard. In 2002, Woody attended the 50th anniversary of the International Dory Races in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, where all the past and present rowers were recognized. The event rekindled many friendships and opportunities to travel back to Lunenburg. He was predeceased by his parents, his sister Marcia Baty, and his nephew Ricky Greeke. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his loving sister Lola Lovett and her husband Gary of Gloucester, MA, two younger brothers, Timothy and Richard, several nieces and nephews, and special friends: Richard Medico, Gary Eisnor, Kip Bennett, Lester Perry and long time friend and dory-mate for life, Ronald Ottens. A sincere thank you is extended to the doctors and medical staff at Mid Coast Hospital and Maine Center for Cancer Medicine in Brunswick, and the Coastal Cancer Treatment Center in Bath. Their kindness and compassion during this difficult journey is appreciated. And a special thank you to Dr. Robert Hunold, Woody’s primary care physician at Lincoln Medical Partners in Damariscotta. At Woody’s request, his ashes will be spread at sea in a private ceremony later in the spring. Should friends desire, memorial donations in Woody’s name may be sent to: Humane Society of Knox County, P.O. Box 1294, Rockland, ME 04841. Arrangements are with Direct Cremation of Maine, 182 Waldo Ave. in Belfast. On-line condolences may be offered at www.ripostafh.com.