SOUTHWEST HARBOR – Samuel W. Beal, 66, died unexpectedly Sept. 17, 2011, at his home. He was born Sept. 15, 1945, in Ellsworth, son of Elmer and Prudence (Benson) Beal.
He graduated from Pemetic High School in 1964 and served in the U.S. Navy for two years on the destroyer USS Leary, including a tour in Vietnam. In 1969, he married his sweetheart, Mary M. (Riddle) Beal. In 1972, he graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maine with a degree in mechanical engineering where he was a member of Tau Beta Phi honor society. After graduation he worked at Naval Ship Research and Development Center, Bethesda, Md., for five years before returning to his hometown of Southwest Harbor in 1977 to join the family business, Beal’s Lobster Pier. Sam learned the ropes of the lobster business from his father, eventually becoming manager and then full owner. During his tenure he upheld the strong family tradition of the business while utilizing his creativity and engineering skills to expand and update the facility. During this time Sam was unswervingly devoted to his wife and three children, and, though putting in long hours at the pier, he found time to completely renovate their home. He was a member of Southwest Harbor Congregational Church where he served on the youth committee and as a trustee. Sam is remembered fondly by friends and family for his tireless work ethic, charitable character, adventurous spirit, and his ability to make or fix nearly anything. He was always willing to lend a hand to the less fortunate in the community. He enjoyed hiking – even getting his family safely lost on a night hike on Acadia Mountain, canoeing – including folding a canoe in half over a waterfall with his son, swimming – famous for his ability to swim great distances underwater, and traveling – he loved the Virgin Islands, the White Mountains, Sanibel Island, Mount Katahdin, and visiting his grandchildren. His deep and sincere devotion to Christ was evident in tender prayer, sacrificial service to others, and love for family and community. His charity spread beyond the local community, as he traveled to New Orleans with Samaritan’s Purse after hurricane Katrina to help clean out flood-ravaged homes.
Sam is survived by his beloved wife of 42 years, Mary; daughter, Laura and her husband, Tony, of Blaine, Washington; son, Matt and his wife, Anna, of Waco, Texas; daughter, Melissa of Southwest Harbor; mother, Prudence; brother, Ken Sr. and wife, Helen; brother, Elmer Jr. and wife, Allison; sister, Suzanne and husband, Pete; five precious grandchildren, Ben, Emma, Daniel, Kate and James; many loved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Elmer Sr.
A celebration of Sam’s life will be held 3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Southwest Harbor Congregational Church, 29 High Road, Southwest Harbor. The family invites relatives and friends to share refreshments and memories after the service in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Sam’s name to the youth or missions ministries of SWHCC, P.O. Box 727, Southwest Harbor, ME 04679. Arrangements by Jordan-Fernald, 1139 Main St., Mount Desert. Condolences may be expressed at
www.jordanfernald.com.