Charles William Johnson III

Charles W. Johnson III (Charlie) died peacefully, surrounded by loved ones, of Alzheimer’s Disease Thursday, May 9 at Heron House memory care facility.  Charlie was born in Portland, Maine on May 5, 1941 of Pearl White Johnson and Charles W. Johnson, Jr. He was primarily raised by his grandparents, Charles and Marguerite Johnson of Birch Island, Harpswell and Brunswick, Maine He graduated from Brunswick High School in 1960, enrolled in the Coast Guard Reserves, and in 1965 married Gail Frost of Harpswell Maine, enjoying a steadfast love and marriage of 58 years. Charlie began lobstering at age 13, going full-time after high school graduation. By 1974 he had developed “Blue Water Fever”, wanting to fish on the high seas for swordfish. He started out in a 42’ Bruno & Stillman lobster boat, but found it not quite enough to get to the real blue water—the Gulf Stream at the Grand Banks and George’s Banks. His next boat, a 72’ St. Augustine wooden shrimp boat from Fairhaven, MA, was also inadequate to his designs. To meet Charlie’s vision for a sword boat worthy of the Grand Banks and his passion, he ordered a custom 93’ combination longline and dragging steel vessel from Washburn & Doughty. The Powhatan was launched in Bath, Maine in 1980. Following the sale of the Powhatan, in 1989, he found the perfect vessel: 79’ aluminum, already used for sword fishing. After purchase, he re-outfitted the vessel with a shelter deck, updated electronics, and a better generator, creating the F/V Seneca. Fishing from Portland, he and son Chip swapped trips using bottom longline to catch groundfish, then in late spring switching over to sword fishing, landing their catches in Trepassey, Newfoundland. In 1996, he entered a lease to fish in Brazilian waters, fishing there seasonally for the next 10 years. He and Gail would run the transit between Brazil and Maine twice a year, finding joy and companionship in their adventures. In 2014 he retired from fishing, allowing his wife and children to enjoy his mischievous presence full-time where they roped the man who can’t stop working into many projects. Charlie was well known in the fishing community, and highly regarded by his peers. Walk around any fishing pier, and it won’t be long before you hear a story about Charlie’s escapades. Charlie is one of the fortunate people who chose his path because Gail, as shore captain, provided Charlie with the support and encouragement to follow wherever his instincts and experiences drove him. Charlie is survived by wife Gail Johnson, son Charles W. Johnson IV (Chip), daughters Sheila Irish, April Biolsi, and grandchildren Katey Johnson, Charles W. Johnson V (CJ), and Stephanie Johnson. He was deeply loved and respected by his family.  The family requests that in lieu of flowers, any donations be made to the Elijah Kellogg Church in Harpswell or to the New England Fisheries Stewardship Association (NEFSA).

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