Albert E. Anable, age 80, died on May 3, 2024 at home in Holderness, New Hampshire.
Born to Jeannette and Albert Annable in Plymouth, Massachusetts, Al grew up in Boothbay, where he lobstered with his father on the Damariscotta River and enjoyed the festive yearly family clambakes. He attended the local public schools, graduating from Boothbay Region High School in 1962. A life on the ocean was his calling: he graduated from Maine Maritime Academy in 1966, which led to a successful 38-year career in the Merchant Marines, where he achieved the rank of chief engineer.
In 1974, he married Joanne Sturtevant from Bath, Maine, whom he met when she lived across the street from him in Boothbay for the summer. Joanne’s career in education brought them to Holderness, where they built a home and raised two daughters, Kate and Brooke. Al loved living in an area where he and Joanne could spend time together hiking and biking in the scenic White Mountains, playing tennis with friends, and sailing on Newfound Lake in the summer. Al especially loved Holderness for its proximity to so many beautiful lakes and rivers, where he could enjoy his favorite hobby, fishing. He was happiest cruising around in his bass boat on Squam Lake, always on the lookout for “The Big One.”
Everyone who knew Al enjoyed his sense of humor, his willingness to help with home projects and car maintenance, and his love for Italian food. Al took pride in being the family chef, always ready to dish up a simmering pot of his homemade marinara sauce, a bowl of fish chowder, or a big basket of fried shrimp. Along with his passion for food, Al loved to bond with his son-in-law, Zach, over the Bruins, Red Sox, and all things chainsaw-related.
An animal lover, Al was easily convinced to take in several stray cats over the years, including his beloved tiger cat, Oliver, and his current kitty, Chloe. Al also adored doting on Brooke’s French bulldog, Gatsby, and Kate’s calico cat, Lucy, both of whom would return from a New Hampshire vacation several pounds heavier.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Joanne, and his daughters, Kate Anable (Ryan) of Somerville, Massachusetts and Brooke Hammond (Zach) of San Diego, California; two sisters, Jane Annable-Tripp of Portland, Maine, and Joyce Faux of Bourne, Massachusetts; and two sisters-in-law, Sue Sturtevant, of Portland, Maine, and Peggy O’Connor (Declan) of Belfast, Maine. He was also a beloved Papa to his two grandchildren, Dempsey and Arthur Hammond.
To honor Al’s memory, his family will hold a Celebration of Life in June.
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