BATH — Timothy Grant Akeley, 61, of Floral Street in Bath, died peacefully at home on Sunday, September 30, 2012.

Tim the son of Paul Emery Akeley and Dora ( Higgins) Akeley, was born in Bath on June 25, 1951. He attended Morse High School, where he ran track and cross country, graduating in the class of 1969. He attended the University of Alaska at Fairbanks, Johnson State College in VT, Unity College in Unity Maine and was an honor student at the University of ME at Farmington.

Tim was an accomplished mason, and the owner of Thick as a Brick Masonry. He was an avid reader and outdoorsman, enjoyed long outings in the woods and birdwatching, and was quite knowledgeable about astronomy and the night sky. One of his very favorite pastimes was salmon fishing at the family camp on Pleasant Pond in Island Falls, Maine.

Tim lived in southeast Alaska for over a decade, where he was a commercial salmon fisherman. He lived at Hobbit Hole on remote Inian Island, in the small town of Elfin Cove, in Juneau and Fairbanks, and several other locations during his time in Alaska. He often told the story of sheltering two native Tlingit fishermen who had been blown off course during a severe storm, and landed at Hobbit Hole. Their boat was disabled and Tim ferried them back to their village, where the grateful families made him an honorary Tlingit. Tim once pulled in a 300 pound halibut on a hand line from his skiff. He also enjoyed manning a checkpoint during the Iditarod sled dog races.

Tim was a very social person, a wit and raconteur, and surrounded himself with a large circle of trueblue friends. He was known for his entertaining and colorful tales, some of which were actually true.

Tim was predeceased by his father,

Paul, in 1982.

He is survived by his mother, Dora; his sister, Nan Akeley Higgins and husband, Kent; his brother Mark Akeley and partner, Laura Hiestand; his sister, Maratha Akeley Carr and husband, George. He also leaves nieces; Kristin Higgins Loukes and husband, Aaron; Elizabeth Akeley Miller and husband Randy; Jessica Akeley; Leah Akeley; Bryn Carr; and Joey-Lynne Beardsley; nephews; Timothy T. Akeley and Grant Carr; and grand nieces and nephew: Chloe, Lucy and Charlie Loukes.

The Akeley family would like to express their deepest appreciation to members of “The Supper Club” and other special friends who have provided sustenance and support since Tim’s accident. Special thanks go to caregivers Laurie Reynolds, Jennifer Lord Doyle, and all those who have given such exceptional care to Tim over the years.

Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Tim’s life on Saturday, October 13th at 12:00 noon at the home of Randy and Betsey Akeley Miller, at 619 High Street, Bath.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Morse High School Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 1030, Bath ME 04530 or a charity of choice.