Bunker, Winslow

Winslow Bunker was born on Great Cranberry Island in 1911. His parents were Percy and Gertrude Bunker (Spurling). He died on Islesford in 1992.

Winslow was a lifelong lobsterman. He served in the US Army in Europe during WW II. He married Rosalie (“Rosy”) Parker in the 1950's They lived in the old family home located on Cranberry Road, currently the Richard Sullivan residence. They had no children. She was an elementary school teacher in Brewer. During the 1950's-1960's, they would move off island to Brewer during the winter when she taught school. He would travel back to tend the house and go lobstering in the shoulder seasons.

Rosy died of cancer in 1967. Between 1967–1982, Winslow lived alone with his pets. His house was the last occupied year-round residence down the road towards the end of the island. It was an isolated existence in the winter. He stated he would remain on the island until his parakeet (Petey), dog (Gus) and cat (Smoky) were gone. He would then move off island. Smoky was the last to die in 1982. He sold the house that year to Richard and Ann Sullivan, and moved over to Islesford. He lived for ten years over there before passing away.

Over the years, Winslow contributed many materials currently housed in the GCIHS archives. To learn more about Winslow, explore our related archival material. (This biography was written by Phil Whitney, 2025).