News From Fort Schuyler

June 29, 2009 - Volume 9, No. 27

ALL-AMERICANS - The Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association of North America (ISCA) has named TODD HAWKINS '09 as one of thirteen 2009 Coed All-American Skippers. DANIELLE GAMACHE '09 was listed on its 2009 All-American Crew. Well done. (www.collegesailing.org)

2nd AND 40 - Word that "CAPT. GARY "MOOSE" CHILJEAN '69 and CAPT. PAUL "YOBS" LOBO '69 celebrated their 40th year out of school on 3 June 2009 by coming in 2nd at the Woods Hole Golf Club Member-Guest golf event. (Paul noted in his e-mail that Gary "...now performs weddings as a licensed sky pilot...")

VOWS - Retiring after 30 years with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, where his most recent command was the Research Vessel ATLANTIS, GARY CHILJEAN has created a new job with a maritime twist - performing weddings in a nautical setting within the State of Massachusetts. His website proclaims: "Be married by a real Sea Captain" and it provides a variety of options for marriages and renewal of vows ceremonies. (For details, photos and a comprehensive FAQ go to www.nauticalvows.com)

CELEBRITY SIGHTING - Former President WILLIAM J. CLINTON visited the college on Thursday, June 25th to address participants attending the 10th Annual Waterkeeper Alliance Conference being held on campus. According to the college website, "He spoke to a group of close to 300 conservationists attending the five-day meeting. The Waterkeeper Alliance connects and supports local Waterkeeper programs to provide a voice for waterway and their communities worldwide." (www.sunymaritime.edu and www.waterkeeper.org)

SCOUTING REPORT - One of the 'plankowners' of Fort Schuyler's Eagle Scout Fraternity, RICK HILLENBRAND '78, has maintained his connection with scouting since graduating. Rick, a Senior Associate at Booz Allern & Hamilton, has recently been appointed to a third year as the Council Commissioner and member of the Executive Board for the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. "As the 'chief' uniformed volunteer in the council, Hillenbrand oversees a staff of over 700 volunteer commissioners in order to provide service to the over 90,000 youth and adults of both genders that make up the council of over 1,800 scout units."

STORMY WEATHER - Another recollection of the 1955 hurricane comes from FRANK NICKELS '58: "I can't recall any damage to the campus itself, but on the following day we found an approximately 40 ft. sailing yacht aground on the East shore. Probably blew across from City Island. It remained there for a week or more." Memories of a more recent storm come from RALPH FOLCARELLI. On his first Summer Sea Term as Ship's Librarian in 1972 Ralph recalls that the EMPIRE STATE "...hit the tail end of a hurricane (Agnes?) when even the Captain got seasick. I believe it hit us off L.I. between Block Island and Narragansett Bay."

MORE EARLY BIRDS - More examples of naval seniority for SUNY Maritime College alumni due to an earlier graduation date than Annapolis came from DAN DeRIENZIS '55 ("The USNA graduate went as far as checking with the Personnel Officer on our ship to see what my date of rank was. He was really put out.") and RALPH SIRICO '57 ("Although it never mattered to me, my CO on the USS HOLDER - DDE-819, always make sure I came 'first' over my Annapolis shipmate.")

HEADING FOR SCHUYLER - "Here in Buffalo," writes JIM CARLO 55, "we're supporting the Western New York Maritime Charter School. It was founded 5 years ago as a JNROTC Charter School with the help of the local Navy League Council and the Buffalo Maritime Heritage Foundation. This year a graduate, 17 year-old CADET JULIAN HAYASHI, has been awarded a full ROTC Scholarship and has chosen SUNY Maritime to start his career." www.wnymcs9-12.com and www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/666820.html

ALSO HEADING FOR SCHUYLER - The Training Ship is in Belfast, the last cruise port in Europe. To follow the cruise go to the college website and click on the Summer Sea Term link www.sunymaritime.edu

A HISTORY TO BE WRITTEN - Frank also writes that "I find the continuing remembered anecdotes of life at the school, such as the stories about soot blowing, to be a fragmented 'cultural' history of our alma mater. It would be interesting to have them consolidated into a coordinated story. This is what I endeavored to do with the 'History of the Class of '58' for our four years." [Class histories like Frank's are certainly great ways to preserve snapshots of the life and time at Schuyler and provide sources for that authoritative history.]

EBB TIDE - The death of 91 year-old ALBERT YOUNG '39 on June 4, 2009 was reported by the Glen Cove Record-Pilot. According to the obituary, he was a lifetime resident of Sea Cliff. After graduation: "He served as a PT Boat captain during WW II and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V. While serving in the South Pacific, he rescued the crew of another PT Boat that had been destroyed. After the war, Albert was an independent marine surveyor for 30 years. He was an avid sailor all of his life. In 1933, he won the Yacht Racing Association of Long Island Sound Championship in a Wee Scott. Subsequently, he actively raced in International One Design for many years ...and taught sailing to children in a Sea Cliff Village sponsored program." He is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, two stepchildren, a sister, a granddaughter and nieces and nephews.

DONALD "PATRICK" GORMAN '45 of Clarence, NY died on June 5. He is survived by his wife Catherine, two daughters, and five grandchildren. JAY D. WERNER '69 died on June 11. According to an obituary in the New Jersey News, he "lived in Greenwich, Baltimore and ultimately, Fort Lauderdale, where he passed away on June 11. He was 62 and a retired merchant mariner." He is survived by a daughter and a sister. [Thanks to Maritime parent, April Maron for the heads up for this obituary)