Mr K.N. Black CWO (ret)
To read artical go to
bangordailynews.com and click on Midcoast
01/30/07 Submitted by: Ben Critchley benc@rochester.rr.com
CWO Ken Black
It was announced on tonight's Maine news channel that 'Mr. Lighthouse' CWO Ken Black (ret) passed away today.
01/28/07 Submitted by: Skip Sullivan
CWO4 Ken Black
Regretfully, the following was received today from Douglas M. Bingham, Volunteer Curator, Coast Guard Heritage Museum
Barnstable, Mass.
The world is a less brighter place today -- we have a lost a great friend, a man who showed the way for all of us, to become stewards of preservation of the USCG history .
Ken Black passed away today -- he was a CWO4 USCG Ret., past CO Group Boston, past CO USCG Station Point Allerton ,past CO , CG Station Rockland , Maine, past CO Pollock Rip Lightship WLV 114 /WAL 536, he also served aboard over 10 different CG ships and led the way into the field of Lighthouse Preservation.
Ken established a museum at CG Station Rockland, Maine many years ago, and when that outgrew its space, he asked for and was given the keys to the former GAR Hall on Limerock Street in Rockland, Maine where he established the Shore Village Lighthouse Museum.
Ken consulted with preservationists around the world on how to preserve, conserve and protect the artifacts we now see in so many small lighthouse museums across the USA. He truly lighted the way for us all !!!.
THe Museum then outgrew its space there and Ken worked with the Chamber of Commerce, the MBNA Bank Corp. and other agencies to move the museum to its new home on Rockland's waterfront where it now serves as Maine's Lighthouse Museum . The Maine LH Museum has since combined with the American Lighthouse Foundations Museum of Lighthouse History to become the largest museum of its type in the world , dedicated to the preservation of the US Lighthouse Service, the LIfe Saving Service and the USCG.
If not for Kens foresight and his determination to save as much of the history of the early USCG, there would not be much left.
Funeral arrangements are being conducted and will be announced as soon as they are completed .
The wake will be held at the Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home in Rockland and the funeral service will be at the Maine Lighthouse Museum.
The days and times have not yet been determined.
I also know that in lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made in Ken's name to the local Rockland Shriner's club or the Maine Lighthouse Museum, P.O. Box F, Rockland, ME 04841.
Sympathy cards can be sent to:
Dorothy Black
174 Sennebec Road
Union, ME 04862
01/28/07 Submitted by: Dick Levesque
