DUE TO THE SNOW STORM THE VISITATION HAS BEEN CHANGED TO:
Monday 2/13/2006 from 1 to 3pm.
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Capt. Paul J. Esbensen, 76, of Stevensville, who helped with the renovation of the World War II Liberty Ship SS John W. Brown in Baltimore, died Feb. 9 at Anne Arundel Medical Center.

Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Oct. 10, 1929, Capt. Esbensen graduated from the Merchant Marine Academy at Kingsport, N.Y., in the Class of 51B in 1951. He sailed with Moore-McCormack Lines until 1960, and at age 27 received his Master's License.

He was dockmaster at Maryland Shipbuilding and Drydock Co. in Baltimore for 19 years and then was a master marine investigator from 1981 to 1996 for the National Transportation Safety Board.

For 13 years during renovations, he was the captain of the SS John W. Brown, one of the last survivors of more than 2,700 Liberty ships built during World War II. He brought the ship from Norfolk to Baltimore where it was preserved and is now a floating museum.

An avid sailor and navigator who owned a sailboat named Pegasus, he participated in many sailing races on the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, including the Annapolis-Newport and Newport-Bermuda race. He was part of the syndicate from the Merchant Marine Academy that went to Perth, Australia, in 1987 and brought back America's Cup to the United States.

Capt. Esbensenwas a volunteer and life member of the Chesapeake Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. He also belonged to the Propeller Club of the United States and the Tuppeny Club and was a former member of the Annapolis Yacht Club.

Surviving are his wife, Lillian Esbensen, whom he married in 1951; four children, Paul C. Esbensen of Annapolis, Eric N. Esbensen of Mobile, Ala., Carol Ann Beall of Westminster and Norma Jean Gomez of Morehead City, N.C.; one brother, Peter Esbensen of Hertford, N.C.; one sister, JoAnn Cradick of Flagler Bach, Fla.; and six grandchildren.

Viewing with the service will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday at Barranco and Sons Severna Park Funeral Home, 495 Ritchie Highway. A wake will follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Project Liberty Ship, P.O. Box 25846 Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, MD 21224-0546

As published in The Capital Newspaper on 2/10/2006

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Baltimore Sun Death Notice:

On February 9, 2006 Captain Paul J. Esbensen of Stevensville, beloved husband of Lillian H. Esbensen (nee Lotz), devoted father of
Paul C. Esbensen, Eric N. Esbensen, Carol Ann Beall, and Norma Jean Gomez, loving grandfather of Gretchen, Nathan, Emily, Keith, Emma, and Lucas, dear brother of Peter A. Esbensen and Jo Ann Cradick.

Friends may visit at the Barranco & Sons, P.A. Severna Park Funeral Home on Sunday, February 12th, from 1 to 3pm. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Project Liberty Ship John W. Brown, P.O. Box 25846, Highlandtown Station, Baltimore, MD 21224-0546. For further information please visit www.barrancofuneralhome.com