Lighthouse Keeper’s Identity Remains Unsolved Mystery
By Sue Clark on Jun 11, 2008 in Featured, Lighthouse Keeper Jobs 
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Can You Identify This Man?
If you can identify this Maine lighthouse keeper, call Tim Harrison at 207-259-2121 or email him at editor@LighthouseDigest.com.
It’s been two years since Tim Harrison, editor of Lighthouse Digest, came across a photograph of a distinguished looking lighthouse keeper and but the man’s identity still remains a mystery. Harrison, who is nearing completion of a book on the lighthouses of Maine’s Washington County, said he’d like to include the photograph in the book, but he would like to be able to include the man’s name and some information about him and his family. Harrison would also like to know what lighthouse or lighthouses this mystery keeper served at. “When I first discovered the photograph, I thought it should be fairly easy to find someone who might know or recall who he is from old family records or photo albums, but so far I’ve been unsuccessful,” said Harrison.
The only clue Harrison has is that the photograph was taken in Southwest Harbor, Maine, which would indicate that the man was a lighthouse keeper somewhere in the ‘Downeast’ region. Harrison said that in the past year people have shared hundreds of old photographs with him of lighthouse keepers, their families and life at the lighthouses for his upcoming book and another one he is now working on featuring the lighthouses of the Bar Harbor region. According to Harrison, the books will have many images of lighthouse keepers and their families at the lighthouses and most have never before been published or even seen outside of the descendant’s families.
One Last Try To Find Out
Harrison said he knows the man was a head keeper because of the K on his uniform and his pocket watch shows a Masonic emblem surrounded by a horseshoe. “I’ve had lots of leads,” said Harrison, who went onto say, “Several people said it was their great grandfather, but none of them had any photos or sent him any information to substantiate their claims.” Harrison hopes that one more public appeal might uncover and solve the mystery. “I’d hate to publish the photograph in the book, not knowing this lighthouse keeper’s name. It’s important to know who he is, so this slice of history can be saved in the book for future generations. Once the book comes out, it’s too late to add his name to the book and that would be a real shame,” Harrison said.
Harrison can be called at 207-259-2121 or emailed at editor@LighthouseDigest.com. His mailing address is Lighthouse Digest, P.O. Box 250, East Machias, ME 04630.
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5 Comment(s)
By Maurene on Nov 26, 2009 | Reply
On November 29, 1960, Chief John F. Kennedy, U.S.C.G. of Fletchers Neck Life Saving Station, along with his engine man Kenneth Rouleau, and the rest of his Coast Guard crew, rescued Tammy Burnham, a 2-1/2 year old light keeper’s daughter at Wood Island Lighthouse, Maine. The men aboard the 30 foot lifeboat saved that little girl’s life that night. Much has been marketed about the rescue in regards to “preserving the history of Wood Island Lighthouse”. John F. Kennedy and Kenneth Rouleau have much to share about the history of the rescue. Both of these Coast Guard veterans are interested in sharing the interesting facts surrounding the story. It would be great if Senator Collins of Maine, who was instrumental in helping American Lighthouse Foundation and Friends Of Wood Island Lighthouse obtain a share of a $380,000.00 grant to preserve Wood Island Lighthouse history, would meet with these veterans and listen to their heroic tale. I too was there that night and I remember it well!
By Sue Clark on Nov 29, 2009 | Reply
Maurene,
Perhaps you could capture your father’s story and send it to me. I would be happy to publish it. I’d also be interested in doing a story on it for a popular lighthouse magazine. If interested, please contact me.
By Margo Alley on Dec 9, 2009 | Reply
Margo Alley says:
A Public Statement issued 11/20/09 by Margo Alley, author of Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham (2007):
It has been brought to my attention that Maurene Kennedy of Waterford, CT has made numerous public allegations questioning the veracity of my book. I am neither compelled nor inclined to respond point by point to her statements, which I find factually baseless, disparaging and libelous. I stand 100% behind the facts, accounts and details depicted in the book. These same facts and accounts were verified and upheld by an investigation of the U.S. Coast Guard which was concluded August 1992.
As to my motivation for authoring and publishing the book: my intention was to research and reveal the truth of a controversial set of events which culminated in the brave rescue of a little girl at sea. The facts of that evening clearly support a cover-up which remained unchallenged for over thirty years. I am proud of both the results of my investigation and the public acknowledgement by the U.S. Coast Guard recognizing the heroic actions of Seaman Apprentice Edward Syvinski, EN First Class Laurier Burnham and Biddeford Pool lobsterman Preston Alley, all of whom received commendations.
FACT FINDING 5 Dec 09
By Margo Alley
John F. Kennedy contacted Timothy S. Sullivan, Com. 1st. District USCG on 16 Oct 2007 by letter requesting the matter of Tammy’s rescue be reopened and reinvestigated. I retain a copy of this letter in my very large research file of Tammy Burnham’s rescue material. I think Maurene Kennedy should post the response to that letter her father wrote as I am certain that it has been answered by now over two years later.
The USCG an organization that Maurene Kennedy claims to love and honor so deeply is the same organization she trashes and accuses of conducting an incomplete or flawed investigation.
Kristopher Furtney, the USCG investigator relayed to Maurene Kennedy during an informal telephone conversation that she initiated that if she was unhappy with his investigation she could contact the Master Chief Petty Officer of the USCG. But then again, that was whom John F. Kennedy had already contacted on 16 Oct of 2007 by letter addressed to Timothy S. Sullivan Com. 1st District 408 Atlantic Ave. Boston, MA 02110-3350. So exactly what was the response to that request?
You cannot change history, even when you are in disagreement with the cold hard facts of any event. The fact remains that a transport turned rescue was covered up in 1960. The reasons that happened are numerous and well recorded in the records and stacks of research I have compiled over many years of working on this historical documentation and my research does not come from newspaper articles, it comes from DOCUMENTED COLD HARD FACTS. And yes, there still are those that were first hand witness to this event that have first hand knowledge and were directly involved. Unfortunately for Kennedy she chooses not to believe anyone unless they are in agreement with her father’s version, which I have also thoroughly researched and found simply not believable or credible in my opinion. Kennedy nonetheless is entitled to her opinion just as anyone else is. She has stated she is writing a book about the rescue and that is her call but I absolutely refuse to supply her with any of my research no matter how many times she publicly challenges me to do so!
Second Public Statement from Margo Alley
Regarding Maurene Kennedy
06 Dec 09
I hereby inform all readers that Maurene Kennedy of Waterford, CT has escalated her ill-advised, acrimonious and illegal campaign against me and my book, Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham.
Recently she called Charles Garnache who is a fellow author and long-time close family friend of mine. Mr. Garnache, who is in his 80s and still lobsters out of Biddeford Pool, is a highly-respected writer and well-known local gentleman.
Ms. Kennedy contacted Mr. Garnache via telephone and misrepresented herself as a person interested in possibly purchasing both his books and my own. Before Mr. Garnache realized that she was not being honest with him, he had happily given her my private cell-phone number, believing that she wanted to purchase our books. She spoke to him for some time before revealing other, ulterior motives besides purchasing books. As their conversation continued, Mr. Garnache grew increasingly suspicious of the nature of the personal questions Kennedy asked him concerning myself and my book. Realizing that he had, in fact, been duped by Kennedy, Mr. Garnache immediately contacted me and gave me a full account, which was thoroughly documented and reported to the appropriate local authorities.
While I would prefer this to be a private legal matter, Ms. Kennedy’s disturbing pattern of unethical and violative behavior compels me to alert my family, friends, readers and general public to her actions. While each of us are entitled to our opinions of any published literary work, Maurene Kennedy continues to publicly and vociferously impugn both my name and my professional integrity.
As stated previously, I stand 100% behind the facts and accounts of the daring rescue of Tammy Burnham on November 29, 1960 as detailed in my book. Despite Kennedy’s allegations to the contrary, documentation of the investigation by the United States Coast Guard fully support the historical accuracy of my research and reporting.
Maurene Kennedy’s continuing disparagement, libel and public defamation of both my work and my character constitute the grounds for legal action, which I have already undertaken. I hereby ask that anyone receiving suspect communication from Ms. Kennedy regarding my personal or professional business please contact me immediately so that I can forward this information to the proper authorities.
I regret any inconvenience and wish to thank my faithful and loyal family, friends and readers for supporting me during this difficult and unnecessary debacle.
Sincerely,
Margo Alley
Author of Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham.
Second Public Statement from Margo Alley
Regarding Maurene Kennedy
06 Dec 09
I hereby inform all readers that Maurene Kennedy of Waterford, CT has escalated her ill-advised, acrimonious and illegal campaign against me and my book, Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham.
Recently she called Charles Garnache who is a fellow author and long-time close family friend of mine. Mr. Garnache, who is in his 80s and still lobsters out of Biddeford Pool, is a highly-respected writer and well-known local gentleman.
Ms. Kennedy contacted Mr. Garnache via telephone and misrepresented herself as a person interested in possibly purchasing both his books and my own. Before Mr. Garnache realized that she was not being honest with him, he had happily given her my private cell-phone number, believing that she wanted to purchase our books. She spoke to him for some time before revealing other, ulterior motives besides purchasing books. As their conversation continued, Mr. Garnache grew increasingly suspicious of the nature of the personal questions Kennedy asked him concerning myself and my book. Realizing that he had, in fact, been duped by Kennedy, Mr. Garnache immediately contacted me and gave me a full account, which was thoroughly documented and reported to the appropriate local authorities.
While I would prefer this to be a private legal matter, Ms. Kennedy’s disturbing pattern of unethical and violative behavior compels me to alert my family, friends, readers and general public to her actions. While each of us are entitled to our opinions of any published literary work, Maurene Kennedy continues to publicly and vociferously impugn both my name and my professional integrity.
As stated previously, I stand 100% behind the facts and accounts of the daring rescue of Tammy Burnham on November 29, 1960 as detailed in my book. Despite Kennedy’s allegations to the contrary, documentation of the investigation by the United States Coast Guard fully support the historical accuracy of my research and reporting.
Maurene Kennedy’s continuing disparagement, libel and public defamation of both my work and my character constitute the grounds for legal action, which I have already undertaken. I hereby ask that anyone receiving suspect communication from Ms. Kennedy regarding my personal or professional business please contact me immediately so that I can forward this information to the proper authorities.
I regret any inconvenience and wish to thank my faithful and loyal family, friends and readers for supporting me during this difficult and unnecessary debacle.
Sincerely,
Margo Alley
Author of Wood Island Lighthouse – The Rescue of Tammy Burnham.
By Maurene on Dec 27, 2009 | Reply
Please remove the inappropriate and completely unfounded comments about me that have been posted to your site by Margo Alley. I have forwarded the site to my attorney and let him know that I have requested that you take action to remove the offensive comments as soon as possible.
Maurene Kennedy
By Sue Clark on Mar 11, 2010 (5 days ago) | Reply
Maurene, I’m sorry, but Ms. Alley has a right to post her opinion. And please do not threaten me again.