Neil Robert Thomas, husband and father, passed away at the age of 94 on May 29, 2021. He was born in New Rochelle, New York, son of Ruth Marion Eklund and grandson of Joseph and Sarah McNeill.
Neil graduated from FE Bellows High School, enlisted US Maritime Service, left as second class seaman. In 1945, he joined Esso, and voyaged on their ships to Europe, the Mediterranean, and coastline of the Americas. On returning to land in 1951, he went to work for American Cyanamid, retiring in 1983. In 1952, he married his beloved Ruth Edna (Schmaus) Thomas in Mount Vernon, New York. With employment in Connecticut, Neil and Ruth made their home in Greenwich.
Neil was drawn by the sea and so the Thomas navy had many fine vessels: S-boat, a 27-foot Herreshoff, on which Neil brought Ruth for cruises on Long Island Sound, that being Ruth’s introduction to sailing and the incentive for a sympathetic friend to gift Ruth a copy of the book “I Married a Boat” on their first anniversary; Escape, the wooden lifeboat Neil decked to make a racing cruiser; Aeolus, a 19-foot Flying Scot for racing; Caprice, a 26-foot classic Quincy Adams for racing; Gannet, a 30-foot Etchells for racing; Cryogenic, a 10-foot Dyer for winter racing; an unnamed Sunfish for a few seasons; Jibe-ho, the 36-foot trawler in which Neil and Ruth cruised the eastern seaboard and waterways from Canada to the Caribbean with a trusting cat along as passenger.
Neil joined the U.S. Power Squadron 1952, was a member of Greenwich Sail & Power Squadron for 62 years and achieved the rank of Junior Navigator. He was a member of the Old Greenwich Boat Club, and the Riverside Yacht Club.
Neil was predeceased by Ruth; they are buried together next to his grandparents in Bronxville, New York. Ruth and Neil are survived by their children, Karen Varbaro and Neil R Thomas Jr.
P/CJoseph T. Domsic Jr. passed away on Thursday, May 27, 2021 in his home following an illness. He was born on November 11, 1957 in Chicago Heights, IL, to the late Joseph and Marguerite (Watts) Domsic Sr., and was 63 years old at the time of his death.
Joe Domsic
Joe was a retired supervisor with I/N Tek in New Carlisle. On October 25, 1980 he married the love of his life, Diana White, in Portage, IN. He was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Walkerton, the United States Power Squadron where he also served as commander for several years, and a past member of the United Steel Workers Union.
Joe is survived by his loving wife Diana of Walkerton; two sons Thomas Domsic of Walkerton and Matthew (Amber) Domsic of Valparaiso; one brother Michael (Teresa) Domsic; and two sisters Eileen (Jack) Stachler and Elizabeth (Donald) Baier. He is preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services were held on Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at the Rannells Funeral Home, Koontz Lake Chapel. A visitation was also held Wednesday, also at the funeral home. With Joe’s love of boating the family requested that everyone wear Hawaiian shirts to the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Center for Hospice. To leave online condolences visit rannellsfh.com.
To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store. Published in South Bend Tribune on May 30, 2021.
Lt John W. Northrup was a member of Pompano Beach Sail & Power Squadron for 64 years when he passed away at age 95. He is survived by his loving wife P/D/Lt/C Evelyn Northrup, AP.
Jack Alexander, AP, died May 28, 2021. He was an active teacher of Advanced Piloting, and active sailor, and a Power Squadron member 34 years. Education and sailing were keys to Jack’s life.
P/C Robert T. Marshall, 88, of Southport Island, Maine, formerly of Yarmouth, Maine, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2021.
Robert grew up in Portland, the son of John and Evelyne Marshall. He graduated from Deering High School and the University of Maine in Orono. He was a proud member of Sigma Chi. He retired as vice president of J.J. Nissen Baking Company in Portland, Maine.
He was well known in the boating circles, he captained his boat Cygnet from Waterloo, New York to Casco Bay. The coast of Maine continued to be his cruising area. He was a commander of the Casco Bay Power Squadron, a member of Wawenock Power Squadron, and a past commodore of the Down East Yacht Club.
Robert is survived by his wife, Joyce Swan Marshall.
Lt/C Mel Faust, N, was the Executive Officer of the Jones Beach Power Squadron when he passed away suddenly May 27, 2015. As a retired New York City Police Officer, his illness was related and a result from Ground Zero exposure during the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in NYC. Mel’s name is listed under “First Responders” and etched on the granite walls of The 911 Memorial at Eisenhower Park, East Meadow, NY. His funeral was attended by many members of USPS as well as the New York City Police Department. Several NYC Police officers in full dress uniform were pallbearers. He received an honor guard salute.
Mel grew up on Long Island and was a long time resident of Lindenhurst, NY. Mel was an active member of USPS. He was always there to lend a hand. A versatile member, Mel was the JBPS web master, editor of the JBPS “Gudgeon & Pintle,” & a VSC examiner, just to name a few. He won a JBPS cook-off with his famous chicken wings recipe. An avid fisherman, boater, and NASCAR fan, he is survived by his wife Julie, son Michael, and a large extended family. He will be truly missed.
Mountain climber, jazz musician, history buff, gentleman farmer, celestial navigator, captain, father, husband, and general rogue, Douglas F. Nelson was born in Bolton, England, and passed away in Florence, Alabama, after a brief battle with cancer.
He is survived by his beloved wife Malva (Molly), his two children Jamie (Meadow Caya), Marissa (Dave Budge), grandson Destin Beneteau Nelson, sister Diana Roberts (Michael) their son Alastair, his three stepchildren, Chelsea Mcclung (Barry), Chip Hittson, Brian Hittson and their children, Molly McClung, Adelaide Hittson, Harker Hittson. For more, please see elkinsfuneralhome.com.
Phillip Fairall was a charter member of the Cambridge Sail & Power Squadron, filling almost every office, and was active until his death. He was a genuinely nice guy who never had an unkind word for anyone. He is truly missed.
P/C Richard Myers was commander of the Vero Beach Power Squadron in 2018-2019. He was very active in squadron boating, was an instructor and attained his SN grade recently. He will indeed be missed.
It is with great sadness that I report the passing of Past Commander Jim Nelson, AP, on May 5, 2021. Jim’s spent 53 years with the United States Power Squadrons and was a Life Member. Jim’s original squadron was Jones Beach Power Squadron in District 3, head quartered on Long Island.
During his time with his original squadron and the Cape Fear Squadron he amassed 30 merit marks and was a constant supporter and participant in squadron activities. Jim and his wife Janet, who passed a few years ago, will be remembered by all as a fun and involved couple with many friends in the squadron. Many stories about exciting boating excursions and Jim’s love for friends on the water continue and will continue to be told. He was a presence in many lives in the squadrons and we will miss him.
Please keep Jim in your hearts and prayers for a smooth passage across the bar on his way home to join his beloved Janet. -Otis White
D/Lt/C John Mulkey was a 20 year member of America’s Boating Club Cocoa Beach and serving as its current commander for the year 2021-21. He also was serving as the D23 treasurer.
He is survived by his wife Merri, a daughter, son and three grandchildren.
After a long, interesting and happy life, longtime Greenwich resident Harry Gilhespie Twitchell passed away peacefully on April 24, 2021, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Harry was born on September 15, 1921, in Lisbon, Portugal. He resided in Lisbon for the first five years of his life while his father Karl Twitchell, the noted geologist and explorer, oversaw copper mining operations nearby.
Harry Twitchell
With his mother Nora Gilhespie Twitchell, he migrated to Devonshire, England in 1926, attended school at Winchester Lodge. He then left the Tonbridge School in 1939.
As World War II became imminent, Harry and his mother moved to the United States while his father continued his career in Saudi Arabia. Harry attended the University of Vermont, from which he graduated with a B.A. in Political Science in 1943.
After graduation, Harry enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving at several bases in this country as well as in the Philippines. He was honorably discharged with the rank of Lieutenant.
Upon returning to civilian life, Harry attended Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, receiving a second B.A. in Architecture and lettering in tennis. He spent the largest part of his career working in New York City for the national YMCA, where he specialized in designing swimming pool buildings and facilities. Beginning in 1975, he was self-employed, preparing drawings for a variety of residential and commercial projects. One of Harry’s proudest achievements was designing and having built the Hillside Road house where he resided for well over fifty years. A classic mid-century modern design with a variety of innovations.
In 1955, he married the former Elizabeth Cassatt, and had three sons. She predeceased him in 2002.
Harry was active in several aspects of Greenwich life. He served on the Representative Town Meeting for many years, as well as with the Greenwich Land Trust, At Home in Greenwich, and the Greenwich YMCA. In later years, he was an active participant in the Retired Men’s Association. Harry was also very involved with Christ Episcopal Church, where as a Lector his clear English accent made him a popular reader of the gospel for decades. He chaired the church’s Property Commission, lending his architectural talents to several projects; he also served on the History Commission and helped count contributions after services.
An avid sailor, Harry spent countless happy hours on Long Island Sound in his small boats, and was an officer and instructor with the Greenwich Sail & Power Squadron. He was so committed to sailing, rather than pulling out the outboard motor, that on more than one occasion in light airs, he ended up drifting onto the rocks. When not testing those waters, he was also an enthusiastic tennis player.
Harry also enjoyed travel; in addition to visiting most of the United States, he ventured to such exotic locales as Russia, Tanzania, China, and the Greek Islands. Well into his 80s, he visited old friends in England and did a cruise of the fjords of Norway.
In 2012, Harry married again, to Betty Hankwitz, the widowed former college roommate of his first wife. The companionship they provided for each other in their later years was a blessing for them both.
Harry is survived by his wife Betty Twitchell; sons Keith, Colin and Owen Twitchell; and stepdaughters Amy Meyer, Bonny Saulnier, Jenny Hankwitz, Molly Hankwitz, and Lucy Hendricks,
A memorial service will be held at Christ Church at 1 p.m. on June 5, followed by interment of the ashes in St. Albans, Vermont on June 9.
