Obituary, William Fraser Love, 86

A big man who was truly an unforgettable individual passed from this world to the next on January 23, 2014. William F. Love Sr. was born on Valentine's day in 1927 in Arlington, Va. to William and Agnes Love. Bill spent his first five years in Edinburgh, Scotland, and grew up in Washington D.C. He attended Briarly Military Academy and joined the navy at the age of 17 after Pearl Harbor.

After the war, he and his young bride, Celine Corriveau, moved to Petersburg, Alaska in 1947 to spend time with Bill's mother.

Always loving the sea, Bill became a fisherman. He served as a crew member on the Middleton, Lois W, and on the Balder before buying his first boat, the Rex. Following that, he purchased the Whidby. He was well recognized as among the best fishermen in Southeast Alaska.

He and Celine had three children, "Little" Celine, Billy, and Anaclet or Andy. In 1970, Bill met Ruth Morris and they were married in 1972. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Pt. Baker, Alaska and spent several years developing a thriving fish camp for Alaskans and people from the "outside" to enjoy and have their own stories to tell.

Due to various medical issues, Bill and Ruth decided to spend their later years back in Petersburg.

Bill was 6 feet 5 1/2 inches tall. He was a big man and lived life big. He told stories with a special touches that made them seem bigger than life. He was interesting and entertaining, and had an uncanny memory of events, names and dates from the past. He was one of a kind. Nobody who ever met him will forget him.

Bill has gone on to meet his parents, his step-mother Ada Love, his sisters "Rita" and June, his son Anaclet, his wife Ruth, and Ruth's daughter Nora.

Bill is survived by daughter Celine, son Bill (Kristie), Ruth's daughter Lynn Victor (Van), grandchildren Mike Harrington (Leslie), Bill Harrington (Amy), and Tamara Love, Lynn and Van's son Sean, great-grandson Hunter Harrington, sister Anne Neville, brother Wylie Love, many nieces and nephews and many, many friends.

A funeral service was held on January 25 at St. Catherine's Catholic Church. Graveside services followed after the service at Petersburg Memorial Cemetery.