(Bill with students on 2025 Sea Challenge voyage)

We are saddened to share the passing of Sail Portsmouth board member Bill Mathers. In honoring his memory, we invite those who were touched by Bill’s life to consider making a donation in his name to Sail Portsmouth, helping ensure that his legacy of generosity, leadership, and fair winds continues to inspire future generations. We are honored to share this tribute from fellow board member Rick Considine, along with Bill’s obituary, in remembrance of a remarkable man whose impact will live on through the lives he changed.

Bill came into my life a couple of years ago, having moved from Florida to Portsmouth, NH. I got to know him when he moved his extra items into the Storage Business I was running. He and I were USN ROTC guys, and an instant friendship formed! I asked Bill with his extensive maritime experience if he would consider joining the Board of Directors of Sail Portsmouth, which he willingly did, and contributed greatly to the organization. I also introduced him to Portsmouth’s Seacoast Rotary club, where he also became a valued member. More importantly, he practically became a member of our family and spent Thanksgiving and Christmas with us. Our whole family admired him!
My wife and I were devastated when he passed so suddenly and we already miss him greatly! I hope he is helping in Heaven with his wonderful attention to detail and capability in getting things done! Fair winds and smooth sailing, Bill, we loved you!!

Rick Considine, Sail Portsmouth Advisory Committee Chair

WILLIAM MATHERS Obituary

MATHERS–William Martin. William Martin Mathers October 5, 1943 — January 19, 2026. On January 19, 2026 Bill Mathers, described as “an incredible gentleman; an authentic, genuine man”, died suddenly and unexpectedly of cardiac arrest in Portsmouth, NH. His family and large and diverse circle of friends are feeling the void left behind by this man known for his generosity, humor, and creativity. Bill was an entrepreneur from an early age. Together with his younger brothers, Michael and John, he plied the waters of Oyster Bay, NY in the Mathers’ Boston whaler, delivering ice cream and newspapers to sailboats moored for the weekends. Bill loved nothing better than making connections between his friends. Wherever he lived, and he lived in many locations, Bill quickly made friends and involved himself in projects to help the community. His Asian-themed dinner parties were renowned for the fun and the diversity of guests. Bill championed young people whenever he could. He coached young women runners in the Girls on the Run organization and started a financial/investing strategy forum for his grandnieces and grandnephews. He loved ballroom dancing and silly greeting cards. He was an instinctive marine architect who designed and built at least two multihulled vessels. He was a prankster and marathoner. If anyone needed help, he made himself available. We will all miss him. Listing all of Bill’s accomplishments could fill this newspaper. Highlights from his life include: Pacific Sea Resources 1986-2025: Founder and President. Bill directed multiple archaeological recoveries. The most impressive, though, was the Concepcion Project – a Manila galleon lost off Saipan in 1638. The collection of recovered artifacts are now on permanent display in the National Museum in Saipan. His work was documented in a National Geographic Magazine cover article in September 1990 and in the book, Treasure of the Concepcion. Hostage July 1984 – March 1985: While sailing his beloved So Fong near Vietnamese territorial waters, Bill and his crew of two women, one child, and a young Australian man were boarded and taken by the Vietnamese Navy. His sailboat was impounded and Bill was kept in solitary confinement until his release after long diplomatic involvement. Proof of Bill’s resilience is that he forgave his captors and spent the time planning the galleon project. IPCO Marine 1975-1984: Founding partner and Project Manager of this construction company specializing in rapid installation of onshore and offshore oil and gas-related projects, marine facilities, and industrial plants. Bill was the creative problem solver and inspiring manager for multiple projects around the world. Between 1970 and 1974 Bill was a salvage master and deep-sea diver for Oceaneering International and Wallem & Company. U.S. Navy veteran 1966-1970: Salvage and Diving Officer in Charge. Chief engineer of USS Nipmuc. Boilers Officer on USS Wright. Member: the Rotary of Portsmouth, NH Yale University 1966: Captain of the cross-country team. Bill’s claim to fame: having beaten his (two years younger) teammate Frank Shorter, future Olympic gold medalist, at least once. Middlesex School 1962: school president, ice hockey and soccer captaincies A Celebration of Life will be arranged for late next Spring (Bill hated being cold), to be held in Portsmouth, NH. If desired, donations in Bill’s name may be made to one’s choice: Girls on the Run: GirlsOnTheRunNH.org Sea Challenge: SailPortsmouth.org Your local Boys and Girls Club: BCGA.org

Published by New York Times on Jan. 25, 2026

Save the Date: Friends and family are welcome to join in a celebration of Bill Mathers’ life on Saturday May 30, 2026 in the afternoon at the Seacoast Science Center in Rye New Hampshire. More details will be forthcoming as the event is more thoughtfully coordinated.

The Seacoast Science Center (570 Ocean Blvd., Rye NH 03870) is located in Odiorne Point State Park. We will be on the waterfront, so Bill’s friends and family can admire his greatest love – the ocean.