BATH — Justin L. Ingersoll Jr. died July 6, with his family around him. He was 85 years old and had spent 59 of those years beside his companion and the love of his life, Joan.

Ingersoll was born in Gloucester, Mass., on March 1, 1928, to Justin L. Ingersoll Sr. and Amanda Callahan Ingersoll. He worked in Gloucester when he was young, served as an altar boy at St. Ann’s Church there, and was active in football and other sports during high school. He joined the U.S. Navy in 1946, and was later made an honorary member of the Morse High School Class of 1949, whose reunions he never missed.

Before retiring from the Navy in 1966 as a senior chief, Ingersoll served all over the world as a radarman aboard several ships. Among his favorites was the USS Agerholm, a Bath-built destroyer. He and Joan enjoyed several ship reunions in recent years, including one in which the shipmates toured Bath Iron Works.

Beginning a second career in 1966, Ingersoll worked at BIW, first as an electrician and later as the supervisor in the drafting pool. In those years he was active in the Bath Lodge of the Elks, serving as state president, a member of the National Board of Ritualistic Coaches, and in other leadership roles. Whether planting flags at the cemetery, helping to build a new roof for the Elmhurst Camp, or filling boxes for the Santa Fund, Ingersoll was generous with his skills and his time. Those years were also filled with family camping trips to Pemaquid and Small Point.

Ingersoll’s children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren always kept the family’s house filled. In addition, he and Joan opened their hearts and their home to many other residents of Bath, opening their doors to those who needed a place to stay.

In addition to his wife, he leaves his children, John Ingersoll and his wife Donna, of Warrenton, Va., Jane Gammon and her husband Ricky, of Richmond, and Julie Ingersoll, of Jacksonville, Fla; five grandchildren, Travis, Courtney, Deuce, Jessica and Monica; seven great-grandchildren; and Jazzy, the dog he held every night.

Services are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday, July 13, at Grace Episcopal Church in Bath. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made either to Grace Episcopal Church or to the Brunswick Humane Society.

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