Dear George,
I met you almost 40 years ago when Mary Lu and I became friends. You invited me to try crewing for you, although I had very little experience or athleticism. You were a patient and encouraging teacher and became not just my Skipper but my friend and mentor for 26 years. So many hours spent on the water, competing, learning and laughing.
A man of grace, great humor and compassion who was there to help anyone and everyone. I cannot begin to thank you and your family for taking me in.
Fair winds and following seas, Skipper. You will be missed.
I found this comforting when my mom, fellow Lake Manawa Snipe sailor passed….
The Ship
I am standing upon the seashore.
A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze
and starts for the blue ocean.
She is an object of beauty and strength.
I stand and watch her until at length she hangs
like a speck of white cloud
just where the sea and sky
come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: "There, she is gone!"
"'Gone where?"
Gone from my sight. That is all.
She is just as large in mast and hull and spar
as she was when she left my side
and she is just as able to bear her load
of living freight to her destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her.
And just at the moment when someone at my side says
"There, she is gone!"
there are other eyes watching her coming,
and other voices ready to take up the glad shout,
"Here she comes!"
I am so sorry. This is a beautiful tribute. I’ve been thinking about all of you so much. Sending so much love. Fair winds and following seas to your dear father, an amazing man. I’m so grateful I had the privilege to know him. 🙏❤️⛵️
George, how we love and admire you. Those who knew you as a leader learned by watching your example: humility and safety first. My son, Colin, was blessed to have you and so many good men as examples of living and accepting strength. You were our rock at LMSA. Long may you live on where the wind blew you today. We’ll meet you at the great regatta in the sky where you will, no doubt, be the commodore once again.
I met you almost 40 years ago when Mary Lu and I became friends. You invited me to try crewing for you, although I had very little experience or athleticism. You were a patient and encouraging teacher and became not just my Skipper but my friend and mentor for 26 years. So many hours spent on the water, competing, learning and laughing.
A man of grace, great humor and compassion who was there to help anyone and everyone. I cannot begin to thank you and your family for taking me in.
Fair winds and following seas, Skipper. You will be missed.