Stanley "Stan" Hale Bullard III, 79, of New Milford died September 29 at his home. He was born February 10, 1937, in Bridgeport, to Helen and Stan Bullard, Jr. He grew up in Easton with his two younger brothers, Tony and Jim, who survive him. He was a resident of Sandy Hook for 17 years, where he and his wife, Doris, raised their four kids.

He went to Unquowa School in Fairfield for his elementary education, then attended Proctor Academy in Andover, N.H., Class of 1956. He was a member of the sailing team, ski team, and ski patrol. He then went to Nichols College in Massachusetts to study business.

In his lifetime, he was forever seeking new adventures: from skiing to soaring, sailing to fishing, hiking, playing the banjo, and studying meteorology. He even invented a clam rake, making them in the basement of his house in Sandy Hook, then shipping them to Cape Cod.

But Mr Bullard's passion was canoeing. He canoed in the Yukon, Costa Rica, the Rio Grande, Maine, and parts of northern Canada. He loved being in nature; he was in his element poling remote rivers.

He worked for Charles Batchelder & Company until the early 80s, when he moved to St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands and started his own outboard motor business. Twenty years later, Offshore Marine became the number one marina in the Caribbean. In 2005, he retired and moved to Peterborough, N.H., until 2015, when he came to live with his daughter Susan and her family in New Milford, where he spent his final months.

He is survived by his children and their spouses, Alison and Ethan Dezotelle of Franklin, Vt.; Susan and Michael Warner of New Milford; Prudy and Bryan Remick of Charlton, Mass.; and Skitch Bullard of Brewster, Mass. He also leaves behind his golden retriever and his six grandchildren, Ashley, Lindsey, and Katie Warner, Zoe Dubilier, and Samantha and Jason Ingram.

In his high school yearbook, Mr Bullard's ambition was to be able to say life has been a success. His family says it has.

Mr Bullard's family would like to thank Regional Hospice in Danbury for all its support and guidance in keeping him home during his final days.

A memorial service will be held at a later date, to be determined by his children. The Honan Funeral Home, 58 Main Street, Newtown, is serving the family.