December 1, 2013 — Arthur 'Artie' James Odlin died peacefully on Nov. 26, 2013, surrounded by his loving family. 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.
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.
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.
Read the full obituary at the Portland Press Herald