Roger Sherman Locke

Roger was the son of Dr. William Locke and Esther Bohm Locke. His mother, Esther, was the daughter of Max and Zella Newcomb Bohm. His grandfather, Max, a world-renowned artist and one of the original founders of the Provincetown art colony, purchased property in the East End of Commercial Street in Provincetown in 1918 where his family summered every year. Although Roger grew up in Hyde Park, NY, the Locke family carried on the tradition of summering in Provincetown at the Bohm property. This developed into a life-long love of Provincetown where Roger would learn to fish and lobster. Part of his early life involved sailing from Hyde Park with his family down the Hudson River in their 48-foot schooner Tonga and continuing on to various Caribbean islands. As a result, Roger was very comfortable with various forms of boating and enjoyed being on Cape Cod Bay regularly every summer whether fishing for bluefish, striped bass, or lobster.

Roger graduated from Harvard College in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science Degree. Prior to that, he completed a three-year tour of duty for the U.S. Coast Guard which included manning a Loran Station during the Korean War on the island of Saipan in the Pacific. Later, he made a career as the general manager of several corporations which supplied high purity metals and chemicals to research laboratories and universities. He also produced a popular consumer catalog of hard to find tools for craftsmen and created a start up company for a British firm. But, he always said his favorite job was repairing the electronics on the fishing boats moored in Boston Harbor.

He was an expert seaman and inspired several generations to take up boating after spending time on the bay with him and his wife Nanette. His signature red SeaCraft boat was usually the first in the water in the East End and a true harbinger of summer.

Roger had many adventures while boating, but the most memorable and moving was his rescue of a drowning, endangered Leatherback sea turtle. Prior to there being agencies to call for help, Roger encountered the large reptile while it was struggling to surface for air while entangled in two lobster pots. He skillfully cut the lines and freed it. However, before it dove back to the depths, it made eye contact with Roger as if to thank him.

When Roger retired to Provincetown, he sold his sports car, bought a pickup truck, put away

his wrist watch and went fishing. Roger was a wonderful cook and host. He and Nanette would entertain countless groups of family and friends at numerous gatherings over the years including fun-filled New Year’s Eve bashes complete with music and dancing. He also spent his days exploring new interests to challenge himself. He built a beautiful wooden kitchen table and then proceeded to build a dinghy on it to use to row out to his mooring. Among many other talents, he upholstered chairs, made beer and wine at home, smoked bluefish, fashioned decorative wooden bowls on his lathe, and produced a magnificent garden full of wonderful flowers and vegetables. He had a keen intellect and was a voracious reader. His passion for classical music and opera ensured that he and Nanette attended many live symphony concerts over the years. They were able to continue enjoying music at home as well thanks to the sophisticated surround sound system he set up. It’s no wonder that whenever a family member was stumped by a problem, the resounding refrain was “Ask Mr. Wizard!”

Roger was a very private man who kept to himself but could always be counted on to help solve a problem with his quiet wisdom. He never hesitated to give his opinion whether popular or not. He was known to have a twinkle in his eye and a playfully mischievous sense of humor. He will always be treasured in our memories and greatly missed by all whose lives he touched.

Roger is survived by his loving wife of 43 years, Nanette St. Pierre-Locke of Provincetown and Worcester MA ; son Bradford Locke and wife Jeannie, of Punta Gorda FL; grandchildren Christopher, Matthew, and Julia Locke; stepson Paul Karpawich and wife Kirsten of Hopkinton NH, and their children Max and Alex; brother Geoffrey Locke and wife Eugenia of Sao Paulo, Brazil; sister Anne Packard of Provincetown; and various nieces and nephews. He will also be remembered by his brothers-in-law Richard, Edward, Henry and their families.

A celebration of his life will be announced in the fall. In lieu of flowers, donations in Roger’s memory may be made to the World Wildlife Federation (WWF)