Benson Bowditch

Captain Benson Alvord Bowditch Jr., 75
SEBAGO - Captain Benson Alvord Bowditch Jr. passed away on April 19, 2017. He was born in Richmond, Indiana, on Dec. 28, 1941, the son of Benson A. Bowditch Sr. and Elise Gail Tappan Bowditch.
Surviving Ben are his loving wife of 45 years, Catherine Sue Bowditch; and children, Laurie Bowditch Rosa, of Portsmouth, N.H.; Karron Michelle Senseney (predeceased); Scott Anderson Bowditch, of Honolulu, Hawaii; Roben Bowditch Lepore and husband Joseph Lepore, of Sugarland, Texas; and Catherine Elise Bowditch, of Houston, Texas; brother, Col. Thomas Bowditch and wife Shari; sister Gail Bowditch; sister Judy Bowditch Walker and husband Tom; grandchildren: Brytani Pearson, Derak Russell, Austin Rosa, Julia Rosa, Anthony Rosa, and Ben Lepore; great-granddaughter Karron Russell; and loving nieces and nephew, Noelle, Sam, Jean and Kristen.
A 1964 graduate of Maine Maritime Academy, Ben began a career with the Lykes Steamship Company lasting 42 years. He was a first mate with the MSTS during the Vietnam War. Ben quickly worked his way to the position of captain.
He later served as port captain for the ports of Houston, New Orleans, and then on to become the compliance manager in Tampa. He was honored to serve as a member of the Council of American Master Mariners, Executive Committee member to VOHMA, the Board of Governors for the Maritime Security Council, member Navigation Safety Advisory Council, and appointed to the U.S. Government Department of Transportation's Navigation Safety Advisory Council. Ben was also a member of Propeller Club of America. As a dedicated volunteer paramedic and fire fighter, Ben served his communities in Texas and Louisiana. Ben looked forward to regatta days racing his 26-foot McGregor on Lake Pontchatrain, Galveston Bay, and Tampa Bay. Commodore of the Bahia Beach Yacht Club in Ruskin, Fla., his strength was unmatched as he remained a fierce competitor into his late 60s, competing in long distance (50+ miles) kayak races.
He was the captain and president of the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Club. In 2009, he retired to Sebago, Maine, his ancestral property since the 19th century. Ben continued his commitment to community service, joining the Sebago Lions Club and serving as president for three years. In 2015, he was honored with the Melvin Jones Fellow Award for dedicated humanitarian services from the Lions Clubs International Foundation. Settling back in Sebago gave Ben an opportunity to further his volunteer work as school board member for the town of Sebago. The Portland Marine Society welcomed Ben into the membership of professional seaman. Here he served as president for two years. He was avid reader and helped at the town library.
Ben was a consummate gentleman and a gentle man.
To honor his memory, a Celebration of Life will be planned this summer. Arrangements are under the care of Chandler Funeral Homes & Cremation Service, 8 Elm St., Bridgton. Online condolences may be shared with his family at: www.chandlerfunerals.com.

Donations in his memory
can be made to the
Maine Maritime Academy
Scholarship Fund in Castine, Maine