Obituary of Captain Alwyn G. E. Soppitt

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Captain Alwyn G. E. Soppitt on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Born June 22nd, 1946 in Island Magee, County Antrim, Northern Ireland to the late Eileen (Montgomery) Soppitt and Dennis Alwyn Soppitt. Following formal education at Belfast High School, he followed his passion for the sea and took up career with the Ulster Steamship Company (Head Line) trading from the U.K. to the Baltic, Canada and the United States. While seagoing, Al met his future wife Eugenie (Jeannie) M. Lowe in Saint John, where they married in April 1969 following which they took up residence in Northern Ireland, ultimately returning to Saint John in April 1972. Captain Soppitt then followed a diverse career in the marine industry until his retirement in June 2011. Before "swallowing the anchor" and taking up shore employment, he sailed with Canadian Pacific on the Princess of Acadia, Marine Atlantic on the PEI Service, Halidon Canada and Kent Line. On coming ashore, he first worked as cargo superintendent with Empire Stevedoring, and then as Shipping Agent with Kerr Steamships (Canada) Limited in Saint John, Halifax and Montreal before taking up employment with the Port of Saint John in 1981 as Assistant Harbour Master. In 1989 he was promoted to Harbour Master and ultimately was appointed as President and CEO of Saint John Port Corporation/Authority in July 1996 which position he held until his retirement in 2011. Captain Soppitt was a member of the company of Master Mariners of Canada, having served as both Divisional master of Fundy Division and National master of the Organization. He was Past President of the Association of Canada Port Authorities, past-Chair of the Canadian Delegation of the American Association of Port Authorities and past Board member of the North Atlantic Port Authorities. He is a past member of the Saint John Board of Trade and Uptown Saint John and has been a long-standing member of the Saint John Seafarers Mission, most recently serving as Chair. And true to his roots, Captain Soppitt has been an active member of the St. Patrick’s Society and was Past President. In his private life, he devoted 20 years of service to scouting serving as Cub Master, Scout Master and District Commissioner of Courtenay District. He was also most supportive of the community food banks and was a founding member of the Harbour Lights campaign. He is the recipient of the Queens Jubilee Medal and most recently of a Life Membership in the Association of Canada Port Authorities and past president of the St. Patrick’s Society. Survived by wife Jeannie, sons Dennis and Nicholas, daughter Gillian (Don Mowat) and grandchildren Emilie and Liam of BC; Brothers Don (Frances), John (Cathy) and sisters Jacqueline Beck (Sam) and Denise Aicken (Alex) and families in Northern Ireland; sister-in-law Mary Tucker (Boyd) of Rothesay, brother –in-law David (Sandra) of Saint John and many cousins, nephews and nieces. Arrangements are under the care and direction of Brenan's Funeral Home, 111 Paradise Row, Saint John (634-7424). There will be no visitation. The Funeral Service will be held from Marco Polo Cruise Terminal, 111 Water Street on Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at 1:00 PM. For those who wish remembrances to Saint John Seafarers Mission would be appreciated by the family.