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Earl Roscoe “Perky” Pinkham of “Steuben, America” (as Perky would say), passed away peacefully, at the age of 87, March 23, 2021. Perky was born Dec. 11, 1933, to Carleton Sr. and Julia (Dyer) Pinkham at his childhood home on the Pigeon Hill Road.
Perky had a vivid childhood on the shores of Maine with his eight siblings. His early life was filled with a little play and a lot more work, but he wouldn’t have had it any other way. Perky started lobster fishing at 10 years old, and after graduating from eighth grade, went to work full time on his father’s lobster boat to help support the family. Lobster fishing was just one of Perky’s many early jobs. Clamming, selling animal pelts, lending a hand at a herring weir and odd seasonal work for locals were among the many things Perky did for work, until he was drafted into the U.S. Navy in 1954.
Legend has it that with a little Pinkham ingenuity, Perky and his brother, “Bunny,” managed to meet in France while in port on their separate Navy ships. He served a little over four years, sent allotments home to his parents, then returned in 1959 to his “most loved place,” Steuben. A few short years later, he met the love of his life, Terrie. Perky loved telling the story about giving Terrie’s mother a larger-than-normal lobster in hopes of getting a date with Terrie. It worked. They married in 1966 and raised their four children in Steuben (of course!).
Perky took up lobster fishing full-time, and kept at it until what would be, in 2020, at age 86, his last fishing season. Perky enjoyed hunting, fishing on the ocean, the outdoors, being the comedian of the group, food and most importantly, spending time with his family. He loved taking his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews on his boat, F/V Fish Hook. Perky was a happy host on land as well. His house was always the gathering place for holidays, events or just plain visiting. Perky’s lighthearted jokes, and his biscuits, will be greatly missed.
Perky is survived by his wife, Terrie (Santerre) Pinkham; son, Todd Pinkham, and fiancée, Lisa Billings; daughters, Wanda Pinkham, Melissa (Pinkham) Merrill and Jodi Pinkham, all of Steuben; and grandchildren, Dylan Pinkham, Kayla Pinkham, Hanna Merrill and Reese Pinkham. He is also survived by brothers Rodney Pinkham and wife, Marion and Carleton Pinkham Jr. and wife, Judy; and treasured sister Vivian (Pinkham) Dean. Perky was predeceased by his parents, Carleton Sr. and Julia (Dyer) Pinkham, beloved stepmother, Emma, and brothers Carroll Pinkham, Vernon “Bunny” Pinkham, Herbert Pinkham, Ivan Pinkham and William Pinkham.
A celebration of Perky’s life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to the Petit Manan Ambulance Service in memory of Earl “Perky” Pinkham and sent to P.O. Box 188, Milbridge, ME 04658.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, Milbridge, where online condolences may be shared: www.bragdonkelley.com.
