Obituary of Justus A. Bailey

Justus A. Bailey age 91 of Plymouth Mass passed away August 22^nd. He was born September 8, 1926 in Plymouth Ma, son of Roland S. Bailey and Dorice A. Bailey (Hall). A longtime resident of Kingston he moved to Plymouth in 2015. He attended Kingston High School and Tabor Academy, graduating from Tabor with the class of 1944. Post graduation he enlisted in the US Army and served with distinction in the Pacific Theatre as a replacement troop with the 38th Division “Avengers of Bataan” in the Campaign of Luzon, Philippine Islands. As an infantryman he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and Bronze Star for heroic action in the Battlesof Zig Zag Pass, Wa Wa Dam and the Manila Watershed area. While serving in the Philippines he chose to re-enlist and was honorably discharged in 1947.

Upon returning to Kingston he worked at various local jobs including the tack factory on Evergreen St., the Evergreen Cemetery as well as tending local cranberry bogs for C.A. Cushman.

As a descendant of a long line of mariners he chose to follow that same path and in 1947 he began his career with the Boston Pilots organization. His apprenticeship was served aboard the converted wooden schooners Roseway and Pilot, time served aboard the Roseway holding many fond memories. His full commission was awarded in 1955.

Over his thirty-three year career he safely piloted over 4900 ships transiting the waters of Boston Harbor, Weymouth and Quincy. In the early 1970’s his efforts to modernize the business were key in transitioning the Pilot organization from the use of wooden schooners to steel pilot launches, greatly improving personnel safety and business efficiency. He personally supervised construction of the first two steel boats Boston Pilot and Thomas Knox at Gladding Hearn Shipbuilding in Somerset Massachusetts.

He had many interests outside of work including the construction of two homebuilt aircraft, woodworking, carving eagles, decoys and gold leaf signs, kite flying at the Outer Banks of North Carolina and the family camp in Ellisville.

He was predeceased by his wife Ruth Preble Bailey (White) of fifty six years and leaves Todd & Lynne Bailey of Kingston, Scott & Betsy Bailey of Plymouth, four grandsons Derek Bailey of Leominster, Adam Bailey of Brighton, Dennis Bailey of Denver Colorado and David Bailey of Alameda California.