John Edward Noonan, 95, passed away Jan. 13, 2020. He was a WWII Navy veteran and was a member of the Louisville Sail & Power Squadron. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Shelly Marie Smith Noonan; his second wife, Rita Noonan; and his siblings, Mary Noonan, Henry Noonan, and Anna Boss. Survivors include his daughter, Beverly “Saca” Lancaster; and his grandchildren, Ciana Lancaster, Shelly Lancaster, and Natalie Lancaster. A memorial service will be held at a later date.
Marie Theresa Fazzari was a caring wife, mother, grandmother and sister. She left this world peacefully on January 24, 2021 at the age of 75.
She was born to William and Marie Sekerak on October 4, 1945. She, along with her twin sister, Maureen (predeceased) lived in Clark, NJ. After high school, Marie attended Montclair State University where she graduated with a degree in Spanish. During her years of teaching Spanish at Colonia Senior High school in NJ, Marie met her husband, Joseph. They married on June 22, 1969.
She is survived by her husband, Joseph; her son Kevin, his wife Lisa and her two grandchildren, Sarah and Daniel; her son Michael, his wife Tricia and three grandchildren Anthony, Cara and Ryan. She is also survived by her Aunt Jane and Uncle Joe Foti, along with their children Elaine and Darlene and her nephews Bryan and Kellie. -Arthur Beers
Ann Wilder, S, was a charter member of Skagit Bay Sail & Power Squadron and very active in the startup. She passed away in Anacortes, Washington, on Jan. 15, 2021.
Lt William Richard McWhinney, S, was born Nov. 6, 1928, and passed away quietly on Jan. 19, 2021 in the suburbs of Chicago. William was a valued and involved member of Fox Valley Sail & Power Squadron for his short time with the squadron.
Past Commander Ruth Miller, S, passed away on Dec. 26. She was 93 years young. Ruth was active in the Fort Myers Power Squadron for 40 years, holding many positions, including one year as Commander.
David Crowley, a past member of America’s Boating Club of Beaufort died on Jan. 6, 2021 at age 89. David joined the squadron in 1994 and was an active member for 17 years. He achieved the grade of AP, earned 14 merit marks, and was certified course instructor. He was predeceased by his wife Martha, who also was a past member.
Robert F. Zimmerman, 94, passed away at Evergreen Commons in East Greenbush on Feb. 10, 2020, from complications due to pneumonia.
Born in Cleveland, Ohio he was the son of the late Raymond and Margaret (Liesegang) Zimmerman. Robert volunteered to enter the service and served honorably with the United States Navy during World War II as a petty officer third class, coxswain. He was a graduate of Syracuse University earning a doctorate (Ed.D.) in science education. Robert was a teacher employed by North Syracuse and Jamesville Dewitt prior to becoming the principal in Fabius, N.Y. He went on to become employed as the supervisor of schools with the N.Y.S. Dept. of Education, and finally as a professor with Siena College.
Robert was involved with the Nassau Lake Park Improvement Association, was a past president of National Safe Boating, instructor with the Power Squadron, past commander of Mohawk Hudson and a Past District 2 Commander. Robert was fond of the poem “Song of River” by William Randolph Hearst and felt it had significant meaning.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Lana Shearer Zimmerman; son, Frederick (Linda) Zimmerman; grandson Erick (Tammy) and their children, Ava and Addison; grandson, Brandon (Tiffany); daughter Alisa (Ed Daum) Zimmerman-Daum; grandchildren, Daniel and Miriam Daum; son, Roderick Zimmerman; grandchildren, Andrew, Ian and Alexander. Services will be private per Robert’s wishes. Online condolences may be offered at mooneyfuneralhome.com.
Susan, “Cusie” as she was known since childhood, joined the Southport Sail & Power Squadron in July 2018. She became the initial Family Ombudsman of the U.S. Navy Submarine Base then Secretary of the University of North Carolina Women’s Club and President of the Chapel Hill Chapter of Altrusa International. She was a dedicated supporter of Squadron activities and will be remembered as a constant source of good cheer and sage counsel.
Past Vice Commander Doug Kerr of Ohio’s Findlay Sail & Power Squadron/29 died on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020.
P/V/C Doug Kerr
Doug joined United States Power Squadrons in 1974. He held many squadron and district leadership positions before serving as National Treasurer from 2000 to 2002. Doug earned 41 merit marks and held the grade of senior navigator.
Doug was born in Montreal, Canada, on Feb. 14, 1933. He graduated as a Chemical Engineer from McGill University in Montreal in 1955. According to Doug, “Jan. 25, 1957, was the best day of my life when I met the prettiest girl in the world, Marilyn.” They married on May 3, 1958.
They had four sons, Douglas (Cathy), Kenneth (Missy), Ronald (Kathy) and Andrew (Angie), and the family immigrated to Findlay, Ohio, in 1965. Doug went to work for Marathon Oil Company doing technical computer work. They became U.S. citizens a few years later.
In addition to his volunteer work with United States Power Squadrons, Doug also served on and chaired many community and industry groups, and was very active in his church.
Past Vice Commander Ralston M. Pound Jr. of North Carolina’s Charlotte Power Squadron/27 died on Oct. 5, 2020.
Ralston Pound Jr.
Ralston joined Charlotte Power Squadron in 1969. He earned 41 merit marks and the grade of senior navigator. He served in many squadron and district leadership positions before serving as National Treasurer from 1996–1997.
Ralston was born on Dec. 31, 1920, in Charlotte. He attended N.C. State University and enlisted in the Navy in 1941, where he served in active duty for four years. He later retired from the Naval Reserves in 1969 with the rank of Commander. He was an F6F Hellcat fighter pilot in WWII, became a member of the Fighter Aces Association and was presented with the Congressional Gold Medal.
Following WWII, he joined his father at Pound & Moore, where he eventually became company president, retiring in 1985. Ralston and his beloved wife, Deanie, enjoyed countless happy years at their homes in Dilworth, as well as River Hills and Mill Creek on Lake Wylie.
In addition to his membership in United States Power Squadrons, Ralston achieved 72 years perfect attendance as a Rotarian.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Deanie, and is survived by his son, Ralston “Tripp” M. Pound III (Beth) of Fresno, California; daughter, M. Lynn Pound of Greensboro, N.C.; two grandchildren; and several great-grandchildren.
Most of us operate from the same dock most of the time. We leave our lines on the dock and pick them up with a boat hook when we return from our day on the water.
In March 2009, four strong, healthy athletes, two of whom were NFL football players, went fishing off Florida’s Gulf Coast. Forty-six hours later, three had been lost at sea.
Their story offers so many lessons to us boaters that I must elaborate. But if you remember only one lesson, let it be this: Always file a float plan before going out into open water.
