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RMHYC 2008 Bridge
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JOHN MITCHELL - February 2004 - 2005
John and his wife Pam hail from Ontario, Canada, where they live on Georgian Bay, Lake Huron during the summer months. The winter months, since 1996, have been on Pelican Shores in Marsh Harbour, at a house on Fanny Bay. Members of the club since the late 80s (club membership no 388), John has been on the Bridge in various roles since the middle 90s. During his short tenure as Commodore the focus was to increase the volunteerism of the membership and spread the workload of club administration throughout the Bridge. Continued efforts were made to refine the approach to Donations review and decision making. John and Pam favor small boats and much of the time on the water is spent sailing a pocket cruiser or exploring the coastline in kayaks and small runabouts. |
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DONALD L. VAN BECK - 1999 until 2004
Don
made many changes and focused on growth, the management structure and the
business aspects of the club. He
established the bridge by appointing two Vice Commodores and seven Rear
Commodores. He instituted a biannual newsletter, established the
donation committee, and initiated monthly events such as blind dinghy
races, the chile cook-off, |
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BOB TOLER - 1996 until 1999 Fourth commodore Bob and wife Patti live on Eastern Shore in Marsh Harbour. During Bob's term, he and Secretary/Treasurer Patti revamped the club. Membership enrollment was temporally closed and non-paying members were purged. Enrollment was reopened with an increase in dues and an initiation fee. Because of personal health problems, Bob appointed Vice Commodore Don Van Beck as the Club's fifth Commodore |
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KEENAN VAN MILL - 1995 until 1996 Keenan was at sea for 42 years, starting as deck hand and working his way up. He had an unlimited masters ticket--any ship of any size anywhere in the world. In addition, he held a 300 ton sailing endorsement. During his lifetime, he was overseer of the construction of three FEDSHIPS (132 ft., 146 ft. and 172 ft) and was master on each of them after construction. He had the reputation of being one of the finest, most knowledgeable captains of his generation. He was well loved and respected by all his crew members, who affectionately called him Dad. Our club lost a great friend and leader when Keenan died May 7, 2001 after complications resulting from open heart surgery. Tonia is currently a Vice Commodore of our Club and will carry on the traditions of this fine gentleman. Tonia lives at Rainbow Reach, their home on Pelican Shores in Marsh Harbour. |
| JACK TURNER - 1994 until 1995 Jack was the second commodore from the icy northland known as Canada. He is still active in the yacht club activities and he is currently working on a history of the yacht club. Commodore Jack and First Mate Jo Ann have recently given up the island life and have moved back to Florida. |
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CHARLEY MURPHY - 1980 until July 1994 Founder and longest serving Commodore, Charlie is now back living in Vernon, British Columbia with wife Jeanne. He is still sailing but he still misses the Abaco's. He was made "Commodore Emeritus" upon his retirement. Commodore Charlie took the club from a rag-tag bunch of bar flies to a dues paying, meeting going bunch of rag-tag bar flies some 500 strong. |
Updated: 02/23/2008