Capt. San Juan Dunbar Obituary (1937 - 2015)

Captain San Juan Dunbar, 78, of Portland and Miami Beach, FL, passed away Friday, April 24, 2015. Born in Flushing, NY on February 24, 1937, San Juan was the son of the late Charles and Irene (Nicholls) Dunbar. He graduated from Maine Maritime Academy, Class of 1960 and was 2005 Man of the Year. Captain Dunbar was proud to be associated with the Port of Portland and was a Portland Harbor Pilot from 1968 to 2006. He handled over 12,000 ships in his career dedicated to the maritime industry. All of his professional life Captain Dunbar was actively involved with the Propeller Club of Portland. He served as President and was Man of the Year in 2005. He went on to serve Propeller Club internationally and at the time of his death was International Propeller Club President. In 1986 Captain Dunbar was International Propeller Club Man of The Year. Captain Dunbar was a member and Past President of the Portland Marine Society and a trustee of the American Pilots Association. In addition to his time as a Portland Harbor Pilot, he was the Owner/Partner from 1976-2001 of Singapore Air Cargo. He enjoyed being able to navigate both the sea and air. Captain Dunbar had a lifetime of adventure and travel all around the world. The increase in cruise ship traffic in Portland was, in part, due to the passion of Captain Dunbar working closely with Portland officials to bring more cruise ships here. San Juan was also an officer for the Gulf of Maine Aquarium, and worked very hard to bring the Aquarium to Portland. Captain Dunbar spent summers in Ocean Park, ME with family where he was a sixth generation to enjoy the beautiful beach. Both in Maine and in Miami Beach, San Juan loved to get together with friends and family and host a dinner on the town or margarita party with his signature concoction. He is survived by his children, Deede Dunbar of St. Cloud, FL, and David Dunbar of Lakewood, CO; grandchild, Alex Dunbar of Lakewood, CO; sisters Susan Dunbar of Palm Coast, FL, and Cynthia Davis of Overland Park, KS. Visiting Hours will be held on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 3-7PM at the Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. His Funeral Service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2015 at 11AM at State Street Congregational Church, 159 State Street, Portland. To share a memory or online condolence with the family, please visit www.ctcrawford.com.