GLOUCESTER: Fishing Capt. Alvin Goldman Arnold, 94, cast-off lines from Seacoast Nursing & Retirement Center on Thursday, December 30, 2010, to join his first mate, Joan (Partridge) Arnold, to forever sail on the celestial sea together.
His keel was laid by Capt. Albert and Agnes (Elwell) Arnold and he was launched into Gloucester on May 28, 1916. Following graduation from Gloucester High School, he followed his father’s footsteps and became a gillnet fisherman aboard the family fishing vessel “Phyllis A”, named after his younger sister.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served on three ships in the Pacific Theater during World War II; the “Swell”, a fishing beam trawler (part of the Navy’s Mackerel Fleet), which he sailed from Portland, Maine to and throughout the South Pacific; the “Zoriana”, a supply ship; and the “General George Bundy”, a hospital ship. At the end of the war, he stayed in the Pacific as a tuna fisherman, helping give relief to the residents of the war ravaged islands.
Upon discharge from the Navy, he returned to Gloucester and became Captain of the Phyllis A, taking over from his older brother Kenneth. Over his fishing career, he became a “high liner”, and was always available to share his knowledge about fish and the fishing grounds, with old salts and greenhorns alike. He retired in 1983, leaving the crew of his son, Richard, and younger brothers, Robert and Richard. He turned over the helm of the Phyllis A to his younger brother, Richard, who served as captain until the new millennium.
During his retirement, he was known to be seen around Bass Rocks Golf Club, where he got his exercise while searching for experienced golf balls, which he would gladly sell at a reduced rate.
He was a life member of the Wingaersheek Tribe #12 Improved Order of Red Men and the Gloucester Lodge of Elks No. 892.
He is survived by his son, Richard L. Arnold, sister and brother-in-law, Phyllis and Ed Wagner; brothers and sisters-in-law, Robert and Lois Arnold, Capt. Richard and Lois Arnold and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. In addition to his beloved wife, Joan, he was predeceased by his brothers, Capt. A. Kenneth Arnold, Joseph Arnold and Paul Arnold; as well as Joan’s siblings, Ralph and Jean Partridge.
To his family and all he left behind, he is looking out of the starboard side window of the wheel house, waving back to all. He will be greatly missed.
His funeral service will be held on Tuesday afternoon in the Mt. Pleasant Cemetery at 1 p.m. Visiting hours will be held on Monday evening in the Pike-Grondin Funeral Home, 61 Middle Street, Gloucester from 4 – 6 p.m. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may be made in his memory to the Phyllis A Marine Association Foundation, c/o 39 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Gloucester, MA 01930 (Phyllis-a.org).