(1929 – 2019)

GEORGETOWN — Willits Dyer Ansel (Will) was born in Long Beach, CA into a Navy family; as a child he lived in Annapolis, MD, the Philippines, and China. He graduated from Stanford University in 1951 with degrees in History and Political Science, and served in the Navy during the Korean War. Will earned a M.A. in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin, taught at Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C., and moved to Mystic, CT in 1970 where he worked for many years at Mystic Seaport Museum as a boat builder and historian. Boat building and teaching brought him to Maine Maritime Museum. Writing, painting, sketching, reading classical literature, and constructing wooden boats were lifelong pursuits. He wrote and illustrated several books, including The Whaleboat: A Study of Design, Construction and Use From 1850-1970; The Restoration of the Smack Emma C. Berry at Mystic Seaport; and A Kid’s Book on Boatbuilding. Two classes of students from the Georgetown Central School built boats with him in his shop. From his home-built cabins, Will lived avidly connected to the woods and sea: building and sailing numerous small skiffs, sharpies, prams, Swampscott dories, Guillemot, and Abbie. Most recently, Will was preparing for an art show at the Georgetown Historical Society. He is survived by his wife, Hanneli Vartiainen Ansel, four children, and six grandchildren.

Will’s art show will be at the Georgetown Historical Society in June. An opening is scheduled for 1:00 on June 15th.

Donations in Will’s honor can be made to the Maine Island Trail Association (mita.org) 100 Kensington St., 2^nd floor, Portland ME 04103.