Maurice Ernest Pye

Maurice Ernest Pye passed away in Phippsburg, Maine on April 24, 2026, surrounded by loved ones. Maurice (Reece) was born in Portland, Maine, on August 27, 1942, to Charles and Dorothy (Wallace) Pye. He attended schools in Phippsburg and graduated from Morse High School in Bath, later attending SMVTI in South Portland.

Reese grew up in Small Point, where he lived his entire life. He often said he had the very best childhood. Living in Small Point gave him the opportunity to explore and experience the beauty of coastal Maine. He always knew he wanted to be on the water and fishing. As a young boy he had lobster traps and fished in sight of his mother’s watchful eyes.

She would watch him tend his traps in the cove from the window of her kitchen.

Life for Reece, in Small Point during the 40’s and 50’s, was spent with friends, swimming, riding bicycles for miles, walking to the local store/post office for ice cream, exploring the woods and beaches, discovering treasures such as sand dollars and unique rocks and “finds” that washed ashore and were interesting to him and his friends. Of course, there were always Friday night movies in Bath. He especially enjoyed the “cowboy” films.

Reece also loved animals of all kinds. There were some less favorites.  However, he enjoyed watching them in their natural settings and learning their characteristics, and how they lived. On several occasions moose were seen where he played. The bigger the moose, the faster he ran to get home. Sometimes this resulted in spilling his freshly picked blueberries.

Even as a boy, Reece enjoyed cooking. He was very creative when it came to preparing his dishes. Often using ingredients that didn’t necessarily fit in the usual cookbook. We were always encouraged to guess the “mystery ingredient” he had used. Nevertheless, most of the time it turned out quite well. Of course, cooking that way meant he didn’t often cook the same preparation twice. Despite this, he had his specialties, and the family all enjoyed those.

Reece followed his dream and became a very successful fisherman. He fished for many years for all types of fish and shellfish from several different boats he owned and captained in Maine as well as Alaska.

Maurice is survived by his son and daughter -in-law, Gordon and Kathleen (Blake) Pye, his daughter Dawn (Pye) and son-in-law Eric Davis, sister Diana (Pye) Bossard, grandchildren Charles Pye and finance, Amanda Landry, Blake (Pye) Toothaker and husband, Matthew, Brianna Pye, Kendra Currie.

He was close and loved the company of his great grandchildren, Chase Brewer, Elsie Knizeski (inherited his red hair), Brian LaBelle and Lillianna LaBelle. Nephew, Micheal Kovac and wife Karina.

He was predeceased by his parents, beloved wife, Beverly (Cromwell) Pye, grandson, Brandon Currie and nephew, Kevin Kovach. 

A celebration of life will be held this summer.  To share your thoughts and condolences with the family, please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com

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