Charles E. “Charlie” Little, III
Homer resident Charles E. “Charlie” Little, III, 57, passed away Monday, Apr. 18, 2016 at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer. A private service will be held.
Charlie was born to a military family on May 8, 1958 in Germany to Charles and Betty Little. He was a resident in Homer at Main Tree Independent Living Facility. “He was a happy man with people who loved him,” his family wrote. “He had a wonderful sense of humor.”
Charlie was preceded in death by his mother, Betty Little and is survived by his father Charles Little.
Arrangements were made by Peninsula Memorial Chapel.
Michael Karl Orth
Michael Karl Orth
Oct. 5, 1952 — April 17, 2016
When we talk about death, we must talk about life. Sometimes, somebody comes along that is bigger than life. This would be the case when we talk about the life of Mike Orth. In his own words a few months before his death, he said, “I’ve had one hell of a run.” He is survived by his loving wife Trish, and numerous siblings and nieces and nephews, as well as abundant friends and acquaintances. His life enriched the lives of all who knew him. After a 16-year battle with cancer that amazed his doctors in Washington, as well as in Alaska, for his robust constitution, he quietly slipped his mooring on the morning of April 17.
Mike’s love affair with the sea started when he got a job working in a cannery in Dutch Harbor in the early ‘70s. He quickly traded in cannery work for a fish-picking job in the Bristol Bay salmon fishery. From there, he crewed on a catcher/processor, and various crab boats in Shelikof Straights, Kodiak and the Bering Sea.
At the end of the 2015 season in Bristol Bay, when the Rolfy was set to sail from the Naknek River to Kodiak, all the cannery workers and personnel at Ocean Beauty were summoned to the dock and lined up as the Rolfy tossed lines. They were there to salute Mike and Trish for their excellent service over the years, knowing — because of his illness — it might be the last time they would get to honor him.
And it was.
Mike was the oldest boy of 14 siblings. He excelled in football in high school, where he played fullback as a varsity letterman for three years. He spent a part of high school abroad in Germany, where he found many mountains to climb, fueling his adventuresome spirit. He almost joined the seminary.
Mike was also an avid skier and skilled wrestler. He received a full scholarship to the University of Washington for his rowing skills, and maintained a 4.0 grade point average there. His rowing team went to the 1972 Olympics in Munich.
Mike was preceded in death by both his parents, Alex and Elizabeth. He had a baby sister Mary who died when she was eight months old. His brother in law Gary passed two years ago.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Tricia Caron and step-daughter Kristen Bernazzani. He has 12 surviving siblings: Erika Marks, Paul Orth, Kristy Enser, Mark Orth, Stephanie Hurless, Walt Orth, Matt Orth, Kris Orth, Andy Orth, Rob Orth, Julie Orth and Tom Orth. There are a large number of nieces and nephews and one grand-niece as well as numerous in-laws. Also surviving is his faithful dog Bosun, who misses him very much.
Any donations can be made to Hospice of Homer. There is also a memorial fund (fundrazr.com/CaptainMichaelOrth) in the works to help Trish pay some large medical bills, and also help pay for tiles at Seattle’s Fisherman’s Terminal and the Homer Seafarer’s Memorial. The Rolfy is for sale and comes with a two-year tendering contract. That boat made Mike happy; it would surely make someone else happy too.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held May 21 at 2 p.m. at a friend’s residence on Kayleen Road in Homer.