The Bar Harbor Times, Thursday June 23, 1977 immediately and accompanied had come to befriend ever mon love for this island and its Tribute To Tinker and Gaile to Northeast since he had come to the way, had come to pay their Tinker Colby Harbor where a waiting ambu- island for summer services a respects to a friend in a lance brought them to the Bar few years ago, and whose natural and befitting manner Harbor hospital. When around was mode a of transportation by and Tinker promptly here 'the each according to his usual by Gerry Noether 9 a.m. the news reached us scooter mode of transportation in No greater tribute could that Tinker had passed away, was named fishing boats, pleasure boats have been paid to the memory a pall fell over the island and roaring Reverend," came all or on the ferry, each missing of Tinker Colby than the mourning linked old and the way from Greenville to Tinker for some kind deed impressive funeral dignity which and simpli- in its service young alike. officiate at the last service for which he so easily and gra Acceptance of death comes his friend. ciously had performed. The family gathered on the Gaile requested that rather city tion ing brought together dear the for island friend. last popula- The hard when it strikes so unex a greet- pectedly and one so vitally a Norumbega and with her in than flowers, friends could to a part of the community. Tinker the lead a convoy went under- send a donation in Tinker's community May had been shocked early was a friend to all, ready to way shortly after 1 p.m. when on 25 in the assist in whatever task pre- consisting of the Sea Princess memory to the Cranberry Isles morning Tinker suffered an sented itself or stymied any- filled with neighbors, the Fire Club which will be used to one. Whether it was moving a boats of Harry Alley, Carl buy lifesaving equipment. aneurism of the brain. The evening before he had building, launching a boat or Wedge, Norman Sanborn been playing his guitar and he rebuilding a pier, his expertise Lionel Sundstrom and a had been with his and his blue truck were an speedboat and a pleasure craft at family the friends. singing talking He for had hour and sat integral part of the project. manned by friends from the shore an Banking a house or shoveling mainland. with Cafferty his spent Kim of shed Mc- the son-in-law snow for someone unable to do At a spot between Suttons and most so. or repairing a leaky tea and Bear Island the boats late hours in the boat kettle, laying water pipes, came to rest. Here where playing his tape recorder while cutting wood and burning Tinker had passed time and he worked on one thing and brush, he always helped with again. either standing at the another. a ready smile, an easy manner helm of a speedboat with In the early morning he and an appropriate joke. which he used to go back and woke up with such a severe The Blair family, whose forth to Northeast Harbor headache that Gaile immedi- beautiful vessel the Norumbe where the Norumbega is ately saw the seriousness of ga he had captained for sev berthed, or at her mast where the situation and alerted Her enteen years, hastened over his robust and ruggedly hand- man Savage and Dr. Paul here from Illinois and it was on some khaki-clad figure, so Tichow who happened to be on this boat that the funeral completely in tune with the the island Paul advised that service was held. The Rever boat. her sails, and the sur- be be taken to the hospital end David King, who Tinker roundings. made an unforget- table impression, he was bur- ied. The familiar mountains, clad in the new green of spring. stood silently and sol- emnly as witnesses and monu- ment when the blue sea under a brilliant sun received his ashes, which for a brief mo- ment were borne on brisk everyone sailing wind. stood In silently the a watch- boats, ing as Tinker's remains be. came one with the sea which had been such a large part of his life. While the flower petals which Gaile sprinkled on the water still floated on the waves the boats circled around the spot and then followed the Norumbega home. After the parties had gone ashore, she returned to North. east Harbor, at Gaile's re- quest, under full sail. Carl Wedge, who in his truck sat watching her departure, gave a horn blast as last salute. So a husband, father and friend left our island, accom- panied by the people who had known him and befriended him. People from all walks of life. from different back grounds with different life styles, but linked by a com