Arthur Artie James Odlin Obituary (1932 - 2013)

Arthur "Artie" James Odlin died peacefully on November 26, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. Artie was born in September 1932 in Cape Elizabeth, the son of Marie Bowden and Charles Odlin. Artie married Dorothy Jordan on September 5, 1953. Together they raised a family of eight children in a loving and noisy home in South Portland. In addition to his wife of sixty years, Artie is survived by his sister and spouse: Claire and Harry Randall; by his youngest sister, Aldana Olvey; by his two brothers and their spouses: Charles and Cynthia Odlin and Douglas and Gail Dufour. He also leaves behind five sons and their spouses: James and Terri Odlin; Greg and Elena Odlin; Gary Odlin; Chris and Amanda Odlin; Rob and Maria Odlin and three daughters and their spouses: Jeanine and Jim White; Karine Odlin and Alan Brewer; and Cynthia and John Fasulo. Spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a source of great joy for him. Artie was the proud Grampy of 20 grandchildren: Jodi, Justin, Jessie, Ryan, Eric, Marty, Zoe, Jeffrey, Andrew, Emily, Makoto, Jordi, Naomi, Kevin, Mireia, Lydia, Maya, Caroline, Amelia, and Liam. He also leaves four great-grandchildren: Ava, Luke, Noah, and Addie; and many cousins, nieces and nephews. At the age of 14 Artie began working on Portland's waterfront. While Artie was primarily a draggerman, he worked in almost every fishery. He lobstered, long-lined for swordfish, shrimped, gill-netted, and purse-seined. Artie was the captain of at least 10 fishing trawlers. Artie was a man of many talents and reinvented himself more than once. He became a pilot in 1955. Throughout the seventies and eighties he periodically worked as a fish spotter from his small Cessna. His youngest son Rob recalls how his father took the front seat out of his plane and installed a 55 gallon barrel for extra fuel in order to reach Georges Bank to spot for swordfish. In 1987 Artie was appointed to the New England Fisheries Management Council. He served for nine years. Eldest son Jimmy points out that his father was an early advocate for the implementation of many conservation management tools that forever benefit the fishing industry in New England. Four of his sons and two grandsons worked along side their father and grandfather and are now successful fishermen in the New England fishing industry. Artie was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps Reserves in 1950. In 2001 he earned a master's license from the Coast Guard. He was a member of the South Portland Harbor Commission, the Quiet Bird Club, Sportsmen Alliance of Maine, and Spurwink Rod and Gun Club. In 2004 he was the recipient of the Annual Award of Excellence from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission for his scientific and technical contributions toward the restoration of the Atlantic fisheries. He was a skilled hunter and sport fisherman and instilled in all his children a love of the outdoors. All of his sons are enthusiastic hunters and fondly remember learning about the woods with their Dad, a patient teacher and a great marksman. Artie's three daughters note, "All eight children shared a unique bond with Dad. He had the ability to make each of us feel special. We are all grateful to our Dad for that gift." Visiting hours will be held on Friday, November 29 at Conroy-Tully-Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland from 4 to 7 pm. A funeral mass will take place at Holy Cross Church on Saturday at 1:00 pm. Burial will follow at Seaside Cemetery in Cape Elizabeth. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association of Maine, 383 UD Route One Suite 2C, Scarborough, ME 04074 or the Gosnell Memorial Hospice House, 180 US Route 1 STE 1, Scarborough, ME 04074.Online condolences may be expressed below.