Donald F. Slater

"Captain Don" passed on at the age of 95 after a life of adventure at land and sea. For over 50 years he ran the charter boat Invader out of Galilee, RI. His records at sea are immense: won the RI Tuna Tournament (RITT) many times, often consecutively, set the world record for the largest tuna ever caught on rod and reel and broke that record himself, not once, but twice! The final, being a 1141 ¾ pound bluefin, winning not only the world record but the United States Atlantic Tuna Tournament, which he often did. He also had the most giant bluefin landed in a lifetime, most in a day, time per weight record, largest blue marlin landed in RI and won the prestigious Words Unlimited Sportsmanship Award. Captain Don was popular with the elite anglers; Ted Williams once won the RITT on the Invader. He hosted shark researcher Jack Casey to start the tag and release program that first documented ocean migration patterns. Many will remember the early morning marine forecast Capt. Slater would deliver on the Salty Brine radio show, via CB from the Invader.

His prowess on land was also something to be reckoned with, setting many hunting records with white tailed deer, rabbit, wild boar, pheasant, etc… His old hunting gang were some of his closest, lifelong friends.

Don's life also included being a projectionist at the Castle Theater in Providence, where he met his wife of 33 years, Jane Pilkington (d, 1997). He was a Providence Firefighter for 20 years (Engine 2), then an Amtrak Policeman for 20 years. In addition, he served in U.S. Army OSS in the Korean War where his piloting skills were honed. He was an avid pilot and kept a plane at North Central airport for many years, often using it to spot tuna. Whether hunting, fishing or flying, he was always on an adventure. In later years, he lived in Florida and Mississippi with his second wife Mary; they enjoyed motorcycling around America and Canada.

His children: Suellen Langlois (Renald), Donald Slater, Jr (Brynn), Patricia Gillery (Donald, d, 2021), Janet Slater (d, 1991), Mariann Crawford (Peter) and Meredith Ashworth (Terence, d, 2009) along with his many nieces, nephews, and grandchildren ask that any remembrances be sent to the Point Judith Fishermen's Memorial Foundation, P.O. Box 3315, Narragansett, RI 02882. The family is planning a private ceremony at sea and thanks to anyone who remembers or shared in Don's amazing life. May we all live fully and adventure on!