DARTMOUTH — Captain Alvin Henry Mandly of Dartmouth, MA died on March 10th. He was the husband of Eileen (Ross) Mandly and son of the late Captain Henry Mandly Jr. and Christina (Hartling) Mandly.
A graduate of New Bedford High School and Mass. Martime Academy class of 1950, he served as a gunner's mate in the U.S. Navy during World War II and participated in the Invasion Of Okinawa. He was a recipient of the American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, One Star and WW II Victory Medal.
Upon graduation from Mass. Martime he served as deck officer in the Merchant Marine, sailing for Farrell Lines. He ended his 36-year career at sea as master of some of the largest container ships in the world. His career in the Merchant Marine took him to points all over the world, including Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Northern Europe and the far east.
Captain Mandly was a volunteer at the New Bedford Whaling Museum, serving as honorary captain of the model whaling ship Lagoda. He was instrumental in procuring a new "suit of sails" made by world famous sailmaker Donald Lucas of Australia.
Captain Mandly was a member of the Board of Governors of The New Bedford Port Society, Member of The Old Dartmouth Historical Society, Past President and Trustee of the Boston Marine Society, Member of the Lst861 Association, Member of the Amphibious Veterans of Massachusetts, a Mason for many years, Member of the Quittacus Lodge in New Bedford and the Veritus Lodge in Naples, Florida, New Bedford Men's Luncheon Club, The Valley of Southeastern Massachusetts Scottish Rite, the Rhode Island Shriners, Shrine Club of Marco Island, Florida and a Member of the Oriental Band.
Captain Mandly was also a member of the Descendants of Whaling Masters as his father, grandfather and uncle were masters of whaling ships sailing from the port of New Bedford in the late 1800's and early 1900's.
A former member of the New Bedford Country Club, he was a member of the Marco Island Historical Society and Marco Island Country Club. Alvin and his wife spent many winters on Marco Island, calling it their "Island Of Paradise."
Captain Mandly is survived by his wife of 61 years, Eileen. The two met in the fifth grade when he announced to his mother that he was "going to marry the blond girl with the pink bow in her hair."
He is also survived by his three children, Jane of Fairhaven, MA, William and his wife Ellen of Westport, MA and James and his wife Laurie of Juno Beach, FL; and his grandchildren Ross, Leah, Christopher, Ryan, Nicholas and Eric. Also survived by his brother William and his wife Margaret of Albuquerque, NM.
Visitation will be Thursday, March 16th 2017 at the Wilson Chapel, 479 County St., New Bedford, MA 02740 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral service to which relatives and friends are invited will be Friday, March 17th, 2017 at Grace Episcopal Church, 133 School St., New Bedford, MA 02740 at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be private.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Grace Episcopal Church Food Pantry, 133 School St., New Bedford, MA 02740 or the Shriner's Hospitals For Children at shrinershospitalsforchildren.org., 2900 N. Rocky Point Dr., Tampa, FL 33607