MMA training ship captain returns to home in Bradley

BANGOR – The family of Larry Wade, the captain of the Maine Maritime Academy training ship who fell ill last month, has been discharged from the hospital and returned to his home in Bradley.

Wade was discharged from Eastern Maine Medical Center inpatient rehabilitation center on Wednesday, according to a posting on the MMA Web site. He is expected to continue therapy on an outpatient basis.

Wade was taken ill last month while in command of the training ship on its annual training cruise and was hospitalized initially at a facility in Sicily. The ship, with 200 students and 50 crew and faculty on board, remained at the port until Wade’s family arrived.

Family members reported through the Web site earlier this week that, after many tests, doctors in Bangor have determined that while he suffered strokelike symptoms, he did not actually suffer a stroke. According to the Web site, Wade has made dramatic improvements since he returned to Bangor.

Meanwhile, the Maine Maritime Academy Alumni Association has established a fund to help Wade and his family offset expenses incurred as part of his recent illness. With the endorsement and appreciation of the family, an account has been established to receive donations. For details, check the alumni association Web site, www.mainemaritimealumni.org, or contact the MMA Alumni Office, 326-2337 or via e-mail: heather.boggs@mma.edu.