Members and friends who passed away in 2019:
MGEN David C Meade, 79 – Member since 2005
August 21, 1940 – October 9, 2019
Martin “Marty” Turmelle, 85 -Member since 2011
September 11, 1934 – October 7, 2019
D. Richard “Dick” Blidberg, 74 – Member since 1979
January 1, 1945 – September 1 2019
Dick Blidberg passed away on September 1 after a brief but tough battle with cancer. Dick had been a member of Portsmouth Yacht Club since 1978. He served on the Board of Directors, and was Rear Commodore for 2 years. He enjoyed sailing and cruising on Mischief. There will be a “Celebration of Life” at PYC on Saturday, October 12, 2:00 to 5:00 PM.
Our condolences to his son, PYC Board member Scott, daughter-in-law Rachel, and grandson Alex.
Adelbert “Bert” Palmer, 95 – Member since 1968
January 23, 1924 – June 16, 2019
Adelbert “Bert” Palmer, 95, passed away on June 16 at his home with his family by his side. Bert, along with his late wife Agnes, was a long time New Castle resident, a PYC member since 1968, and enjoyed sailing on Black Coral. Our condolences to his daughter PYC member Amy Gworek and her husband, Jonathon, sons Sam Palmer and his wife Jennifer Feller, John Palmer, and their families. (Obituary)
Robert Gray, 97 – Member since 1996
September 16, 1922 – May 31, 2019
Robert Gray, 97, passed away on Friday, May 31, with his devoted wife, Annie, by his side. Born near Bristol, England, he became a U.S. citizen and joined the New York Times in 1952. In 1975 he “retired” to York Harbor. Robert and Annie have been partners in the Yacht Brokerage Company, “Gray & Gray”, for the last 37 years. Our condolences to Annie and family. (Obituary)
GeGe Green, 85 – Member since 1981
July 11, 1933 – May 24, 2019
Genevieve “GeGe” Green passed away peacefully on Friday, May 24, 2019, at the age of 85. GeGe had been a summer resident of Rye, NH since 1940. She and Jerry, her husband of 63 years, moved there full-time in 1987. Jerry and GeGe joined Portsmouth Yacht Club in 1981, and enjoyed club activities, especially those involving sailing and traveling. Our sincere condolences to Jerry, their children, and grandchildren. (Obituary)
Mark Connolly, 63 – Member since 2009
September 2, 1955 – April 13, 2019
Mark Connolly passed away on April 13 while he and his fiancee Terri Lareau were in Rancho Mirage, California. Mark, a 2016 Democratic candidate for governor and former state securities chief, had been a member of PYC since 2009. He was known as a man of the state of New Hampshire, dedicated to serving our state, a gentleman and a friend. (Obituary)
Jim McNally, 82 – Former Member
December 18, 1936 – February 26, 2019
Former member Jim McNally passed away on Feb. 26, 2019 in Scottsdale, Arizona. Jim and his wife Nan were members from 1991 to 2016. They lived in Kittery and enjoyed sailing and cruising on KATE before moving to Scottsdale, Arizona to be closer to family.
Members and friends who passed away in 2018:
P/C Fred Pettigrew, 89 – Member since 1974
November 21, 1938 – December 4, 2018
PYC Life Member and Past Commodore Fred Pettigrew passed away on Tuesday, Dec 4. Fred and his late wife Carole joined the Portsmouth Yacht Club in 1974, and is the brother-in-law of PYC P/C Art Wright. Our condolences to Fred’s son’s Jim, John and Dave, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. (Obituary)
Jay Edwards, 81 – Member since since 2009
August 1937 – November 29, 2018
Jay Edwards passed away peacefully on November 29, 2018. Jay and his wife, Sherle, had recently returned to Florida for the winter season. We will fondly remember Jay having a good time at club activities and piloting his beautiful Sabre named Lady Sherle, especially on PYC cruises. He was the owner and operator of the elegant Edwards Harborside Inn in York Harbor, Maine. Jay joined PYC in 1970 and again in 2009. (Obituary)
Norma Roberts, 90 – Member since 1988
April 30, 1928 – November 20, 2018
PYC Life Member Norma Roberts passed away on Tuesday, November 20. Norma and her late husband Ken joined the club in 1988. They enjoyed cruising on their sailboat, Eaglet, and were very active in PYC before moving to North Carolina in 2011 to be closer to family. (Obituary)
Joyce Kelly, 98 – Member since 1966
September 10, 1920 – October 31, 2018
PYC Life Member Joyce Kelly passed away on Oct 31, 2018 at the age of 98. Joyce and her late husband Emmitte joined PYC in 1966. Our condolences to her daughters Carolyn Scott, husband Richard, and Kathleen Kulisek, husband Michael, and their families. (Obituary,Legacy.com)
Phil Fusco, 78 – Member since 2008
July 17, 1940 – September 29, 2018
Phil Fusco passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 29 2018 at the Edgewood Center after a lengthy illness. Phil and his wife Rita have been PYC members since 2008. Our condolences to Rita, their children, and grand children. (Obituary, Legacy.com)
Betty Gailey, 85 – Member since 1979
August 5, 1932 – June 29, 2018
Elizabeth “Betty” Gailey, PYC Life Member, passed away on Friday, June 29, 2018. Betty and her late husband John had been members of PYC since 1979. Our condolences to her children Jane, John and Jim (PYC member) and their families. (Obituary, Legacy.com)
Sue Bowman, 85 – Member since 1986
May 2, 1933 – June 1, 2018
Suzanne “Sue” Bowman, 85, passed away on June 1 at the Durgin Pines Skilled Nursing Facility in Kittery, surrounded by her loved ones. Sue and her late husband Jim had been PYC members since 1986. Sue enjoyed swimming sailing and kayaking with family and friends at her Merrymeeting Lake Cottage. Our condolences go out to her children Kristin, Kathy and Ted, and their families. (Obituary, Legacy.com)
Trip Gray, 50 – Member since 2007
March 3, 1968 – May 14, 2018
Frederick S “Trip” Gray, III, 50, passed away on May 14 after a somewhat long illness. Trip is survived by his wife Stacy Gray and daughter Alexcia Saunders as well as his father PYC member Ted Gray and younger brother PYC member and former BOD member Justin Gray. Our condolences go out to the Gray family. (Obituary, Legacy.com)
P/C Nancy Gulley, 73 – Member since 2008
November 3, 1944 – April 28, 2018
Past Commodore Nancy Gulley passed away on April 28, 2018 at the age of 73, with her family by her side. Nancy and Jerry, her husband of nearly 54 years, have been PYC members since 2008. Family has requested the Club be open to members and their guests on Friday, June 15th for a reception in her memory. More details will be available in the near future. Our condolences to Jerry, as well as Stacey, Penny, Kevin, and their families. (Nancy’s Uncommon Obituary)
Members and friends who passed away in 2017:
Jim McHutchison, 76 – Member since 2015
May 8, 1941 – December 31, 2017
Jimmy McHuchison passed away on Dec. 31, 2017, after surviving a 4+ yr battle with mesothelioma, against all odds! Jimmy was an avid sailor with many miles under his keel, and held a US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner 100 ton license. He has been a PYC members since 2015, a longtime member of the Cruising Club of America, and past member of the Ocean Cruising Club. Our sincere condolences go to his partner, Pepper, his children and grandchildren. (Final Voyage, Cruising Club of America; Obituary, Lucas and Eaton Funeral Home).
Ingvars J. Vittands, 83 – Member since 1993
1934 – November 2o, 2017
Ingvars Vittands died on Nov. 20, 2017 at the age of 83. Born in Riga, Latvia, his family emigrated to the US in 1950. He eventually settled in NH where he had a 38 yr. career as an orthopedic surgeon. Ingvars, along with his wife Donna, has been a PYC member since 1993. His love of boats and sailing was well-known by friends and family. Our condolences go to Donna and all of his family. (Obituary, Fosters.com)
Michael D Dingman, 86 – Member since 1975
September 29, 1931 – October 3, 2017
Michael Dingman passed away on October 3 at his home in Lyford Cay, The Bahamas. Michael had been a member of PYC since 1975, and has lived in the Bahamas since 1995. Our condolences to his wife Betsy and their family. (Obituary, Nassau Guardian).
Wayne E. Murray, 76 – Member since 1991
December 17 1940 – September 27, 2017
Wayne Murray passed away on Wednesday, September 27, after a battle with cancer that he fought with courage and grace. Wayne and his partner, Past Commodore Jackie Adams, have been active supporters of Portsmouth Yacht Club, cruising from Maine to the Bahamas on “Last Time” and later “Exit Strategy”. Wayne lived life with gusto, with a love for the sea and endless aquatic adventures. He loved skiing, traveling, art, gardening, dogs and reading. Our condolences to Jackie, his children Brian and Brigid, and their families. (Obituary – Seacoast Online)
Evelyn (Evie) Wingo, 94 – Member since 1977
April 4, 1922 – April 15, 2017
Evelyn (Evie) Wingo, 94, died Saturday, April 15, 2017, in her residence at Wentworth Senior Living in Portsmouth. A PYC Life Member, Evie and her late husband Art had been members since 1977. Evie was a “people” person – she enjoyed meeting new people and getting to know them. Our condolences to her children, Cathy, Gary, David and Paul, and their families.
P/C Jeffrey H. Marple, 76 – Former member
January 1, 1941 – January 20, 2017
Former member and Past Commodore Jeff Marple passed away on Friday, January 20, 2017. Jeff and his wife Sylvia have been New Castle residents since 1966. He was an avid fisherman and loved to chase tuna at Jeffrey’s Ledge, troll for bluefish or find Stripers chasing bait. Our condolences to Sylvia and their family.
Members and friends who passed away in 2016:
Barbara P.Wright, 75 – Member since 1978
February 1, 1941 – December 30, 2016
PYC Life Member Barbara Wright passed away on Friday, December 30, 2016. Barbie and her husband, P/C Art Wright, have been PYC members since 1978. She was also the sister of P/C Fred Pettigrew. Barbie was sweet, kind, gentle and always had a smile for others. She very much enjoyed sitting at the club reading while Art worked on club projects. Our condolences to Art and their family.
Agnes Palmer, 79 – Member since 1968
July 30, 1937 – November 9, 2016
Agnes Palmer, 79, died November 9, 2016 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s Disease. Agnes, along with husband Bert, was a long time New Castle resident and PYC member since 1968. Agnes was an avid tennis player, enjoyed skiing, gardening and sailing on Black Coral. Our condolences to her husband Bert, her daughter PYC member Amy Gworek and her husband, Jonathon, sons Sam Palmer and his wife Jennifer Feller, John Palmer, and their families.
P/C William F. Fleming, 82 – Member since 1976
June 10, 1934 – August 31, 2016
Past Commodore and Life Member Bill Fleming passed away on August 31, 2016. Bill and his wife Lolly have been members of the PYC since 1976, and for many years enjoyed sailing their Pearson 30 Viewpoint. Bill has served as Commodore as well as Club Secretary. Our condolences to Lolly and their family.
John R. Kemen, 69 – Member since 2006
December 27, 1946 – July 26, 2016
John Kemen passed away unexpectedly on July 26, 2016. John and his wife Patti have been members of the PYC since 2006, and John served on the Board of Directors from 2010-2014. John enjoyed spending time on his boat Brothers II, which he shared with his brother-in-law, PYC member Dan Gabriel. Our condolences to Patti and their family.
Whitney Elliot Saidla,74 – Member since 1978
January 7, 1942 – June 23, 2016
Whit Saidla passed away on June 23, 2016. Whit was a member of the PYC since 1978. Sailing meant the world to Whit, having raced numerous times to Bermuda and spending many months sailing Pyewacket in the Caribbean with his family. Whether it be traveling to his favorite spots in France, applying his scientific mind in the kitchen or the laboratory, or pursuing his passion for sailing, Whit lived his life to the fullest!
P/C James Alfred Labrie, 80 – Member since 2016 and former member
July 26, 1935 – April 30, 2016
Past Commodore Jim Labrie passed away on April 30, 2016 in Portsmouth. Jim and his wife Ellen had recently rejoined PYC after an absence. Our condolences to Ellen and their family.
P/C Edward Nelson Wright, 74 – Member since 1990
March 26, 1942 – April 21, 2016
Past Commodore and Life member Ed Wright, Jr passed away on April 21, 2016 at his home in Vero Beach, Florida. Ed and his wife Judy joined PYC in 1990. They moved to Florida in retirement. Our condolences to Judy and their family.
Kenneth P. Roberts, 88 – Member since 1988
September 16, 1927 – January 24, 2016
PYC life member Ken Roberts passed away Jan. 24, 2016. Ken and his wife Norma joined PYC in 1988. Ken served as Club Secretary, Photographer, and a member of the Board of Directors. He was also a lifelong member of the Power Squadron, Past President of the Propeller Club, and Past Commodore of Pepperrell Cove Yacht Club. Our condolences to Norma and their family.