Capt. Arthur R. Moore

HALLOWELL - Arthur R. Moore, 94, passed away Dec. 14, 2018, in Augusta.

He was born in Augusta, May 14, 1924, to Arthur R. and Gladys Wright Moore and was a direct descendant of Martha Moore Ballard, as well as, Deacon Pease Clark, the first settler of Hallowell, in 1762.

A lifelong resident of Hallowell, he grew up working for his father's ice business, which was started by his great-grandfather, William Moore II, in 1867.

Upon graduation from Hallowell High School in June 1942, he attended the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at King's Point, Long Island, N.Y., graduating in February, 1944. During WWII he served on various merchant ships as a Deck Cadet, Third Officer and Second Officer in the North Atlantic, Mediterranean Sea and South Pacific war zones. Following the war, he worked on various freighters and tankers.

Capt. Moore held an Unlimited Master of Ocean's License issued by the U.S. Coast Guard in Boston, and later added 42 First Class Pilotage Endorsements for various harbors and rivers between the Kennebec River and Washington D.C. He was most proud of his license for the Kennebec River from its entrance to Augusta, which he obtained in November, 1949.

In 1954, he took over the Kennebec River pilotage operating tankers, tugs and barges delivering oil, grain and coal to Hallowell, Farmingdale and South Gardiner. Capt. Moore piloted the last tanker up the Kennebec River to Hallowell in May, 1966.

He worked for Exxon Corporation for 25 years, starting as a Chief Mate and was promoted six months later to Master, piloting the Hudson River, Lake Champlain and various northeast ports. Upon his retirement from Exxon, he worked for the Maine State Ferry Service and Sprague S.S. Company.

In 1983, Capt. Moore authored a book entitled, "A Careless Word…A Needless Sinking", documenting the tremendous losses of merchant ships and personnel during WWII. The book was acclaimed by the merchant marine community and became an important resource to merchant mariners who served in WWII, in their efforts seeking Veteran's status from the U.S. Government in 1988, 43 years after the war ended. In recognition of his work on the book, he was awarded the Nathaniel Bowditch Award from the American Merchant Marine Museum, the Distinguished Service Award from the King's Pt. Alumni Assn.; and in June, 2005, received an Honorary Doctorate of Science by the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, King's Point, Long Island, N.Y.; and together, with his wife, Florence, received recognition from the Massachusetts National WWII Committee, citing the historical significance of the book in August, 2017. Capt. Moore was an active member of the Kings Point Alumni Assn., the Portland Marine Society, the Boston Marine Society, the Council of the American Master Mariners, and the American Merchant Marine Veterans WWII.

Arthur was a tireless advocate for the City of Hallowell. He was appointed Chairman of the 1962 Hallowell Bicentennial Committee, was a Hallowell City Council member from Ward Five, a Trustee of the Hubbard Free Library, Hallowell's Harbor Master from 1983-2007, a member of the Row House, Inc., the Hallowell Burial Ground Assn., and the Maine Rail Group. As members of the Goodrich-Caldwell American Legion Post #6, he and his wife, Florence, Co-Chaired the fundraising committee for the Hallowell Veterans Granite Memorial monument at the Hallowell Cemetery.

He always envisioned a public recreational space on the Kennebec River and was recognized for his dedication towards the completion of Hallowell's Granite City Park.

Capt. Moore is survived by his wife, Florence Elizabeth Moore, Hallowell; two daughters, Laurie E. Halligan, Manchester; Traci-Lee Moore and her wife, Brenda Buttarazzi, Scarborough, two sons, Gregory W. Moore and his wife, Roberta, Midland, N.C.; and Bradford A. Moore, Manchester, N.H.; two granddaughters, Jennifer A. Moore and Amy E. Moore of Charlotte, N.C.; a sister, Janis M. Cross, Hallowell; a niece, Lisa A. Moore, and nephew, Robert E. Moore.

Arthur was predeceased by his brother, Robert E. Moore and sister-in-law, Norma.

There will be no visiting hours and no funeral services. A graveside service will be held at the Hallowell Cemetery in the Spring of 2019.

"I've anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest, I'll sail the wild seas no more."

Arrangements are in the care of Knowlton and Hewins Funeral Home, One Church Street, Augusta. Memories, condolences, photos, and videos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of our website at www.familyfirstfuneralhomes.com