Capt. San Juan Dunbar
February 24, 1937 ~ April 24, 2015
Captain San Juan Dunbar, 78, of Portland and Miami Beach, FL, passed away Friday, April 24, 2015. Born in Flushing, NY on February 24, 1937, San Juan was the son of the late Charles and Irene (Nicholls) Dunbar. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, Class of 1960 and was 2005 Man of the Year. Captain Dunbar was proud to be associated with the Port of Portland and was a Portland Harbor Pilot from 1968 to 2006. He handled over 12,000 ships in his career dedicated to the maritime industry. All of his professional life Captain Dunbar was actively involved with the Propeller Club of Portland. He served as President and was Man of the Year in 2005. He went on to serve Propeller Club internationally and at the time of his death was International Propeller Club President. In 1986 Captain Dunbar was International Propeller Club Man of The Year. Captain Dunbar was a member and Past President of the Portland Marine Society and a trustee of the American Pilots Association. In addition to his time as a Portland Harbor Pilot, he was the Owner/Partner from 1976-2001 of Singapore Air Cargo. He enjoyed being able to navigate both the sea and air. Captain Dunbar had a lifetime of adventure and travel all around the world. The increase in cruise ship traffic in Portland was, in part, due to the passion of Captain Dunbar working closely with Portland officials to bring more cruise ships here. San Juan was also an officer for the Gulf of Maine Aquarium, and worked very hard to bring the Aquarium to Portland. Captain Dunbar spent summers in Ocean Park, ME with family where he was a sixth generation to enjoy the beautiful beach. Both in Maine and in Miami Beach, San Juan loved to get together with friends and family and host a dinner on the town or margarita party with his signature concoction. He is survived by his children, Deede Dunbar of St. Cloud, FL, and David Dunbar of Lakewood, CO; grandchild, Alex Dunbar of Lakewood, CO; sisters Susan Dunbar of Palm Coast, FL, and Cynthia Davis of Overland Park, KS. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 3-7PM at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 11AM at State Street Congregational Church, 159 State Street, Portland. To share a memory or online condolence with the family, please visit www.ctcrawford.com.
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To the family of Captain Dunbar,Please accept my condolences for passing of Sandy Dunbar, such a well respected persona, resident in panoramic view of his right, claim, title, and interest to historic Casco Bay, a lifetime of service integrity. Thank you for privilege of San Juan Dunbar’s memory. Respectfully,Russell Grant Leach
– Russell Grant Leach
Sandy was an extraordinary man , a total breath of fresh air …Dressed in a pink button down shirt he was striking , stylish and suave. Accomplished as a pilot , but even more so life. All who have had the pleasure of meeting him will miss him terribly …R.I.P. Sandy
– Jim and Kathryn Myrick
Sandy was an extraordinary man , a total breath of fresh air …Dressed in a pink button down shirt he was striking , stylish and suave. Accomplished as a pilot , but even more so life. All who have had the pleasure of meeting him will miss him terribly …R.I.P. Sandy
– Jim and Kathryn Myrick
This man made a huge dent in the universe. We were lucky to have him!
– Ryan Lambert
To the family, Captain Dunbar was a kind and generous man who gave freely of his time to help me learn radar plotting for my first license. He helped many people learn skills to become professional mariners without any hesitation or discrimination. He always greeted me in a kind and friendly manner at Propeller Club and was one of few people who did not ask “who was I with”! He was the ultimate professional mariner and was respected and loved by all in the maritime community.
– Carolyn Vetro
Sanjuan was such a class act and great friend. We will miss him very much and will always remember his smile, gentle demeanor and margaritas. Rest in peace, Captain!
– Jose and Mimi Sardiña, Miami Beach, FL
Sandy and I met many times at various Pilot Conventions over the past 30 years. He was a real credit to the piloting profession and a real gentleman. Kindest regards to all.
– Capt. George E. Watkins, retired Virginia Pilot, Past President Port of Norfolk Propeller Club
San Juan was a gentleman and a good friend. We enjoyed his company, and his Margarita parties. We will miss him. Godspeed dear friend!!The Alegrias from Arlen Beach Condos.
– Juan and Aida Esmeralda Alegria
It was my honor to have gotten to know San Juan over the past few years. His Smile, His Laughter was Contagious. You Proved to Everyone that REAL MEN do wear Pink. You brought Joy and Laughter to everyone you touched. It was my Privilege to have shared this with you even if only for much too short a while. I will ALWAYS REMEMBER YOU . You will be Greatly Missed My Dear Friend. Miami Beach just wont be the same.
– Sharon A. Townsend
Dear Family Members of Sandy Dunbar,I was saddened to hear of Sandy’s passing from one of our fellow high-school mates. Sandy and I were good friends in our school days and I regret that we had totally lost touch except for a brief rendezvous at our 50th reunion. He was a lovely person with a free spirit and welcoming demeanor. You have my deepest sympathies and condolences. Sincerely, Bruce Fowle.
– Bruce Fowle
it was a privilege and an honor to know Captain San Juan Dunbar. Rest in peace my friend.
– Nancy Simms
Rest in Peace Capt. … you are a good man. You brought joy and life to everything and everyone you touched. What a privilege to have met and shared with you even if for a brief time. I will always remember that smile!
– Liz Miller
I am sad to learn of Sandy’s death even though I have not seen him since graduating from Manhasset High School. But I remember his smile and gentleness and it brings home that there are people in my life that I still would like to see again. He was one of them.
– Jane Conway McAllister – Duncan, British Columbia
Sandy was a wonderful friend and always a pleasure to be with. RIP Sandy, you will be missed.
– Rolf Marshall and Paula Thompson-Marshall
My deepest condolences to the children of Mr. Dunbar. I was fortunate to be able to care for and spend time with Mr. Dunbar during his time in the hospital. I loved his stories of how he came to be named “San Juan”, his time in the military, ski trips with his family, and about making margarita’s for his condo complex by the pool, and in case any one is wondering, I too could not get the margarita recipe out of him!It was truely an honor to meet San Juan and his family. I hope Mr Dunbar is free of pain and at peace. My thoughts and prayers are with his children and family.
– Kimberly Steinhagen, RN