On Sunday, May 1st,
PSMHS will present our VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR award to
John Kelly. He has been volunteering with our Society
and other organizations for the amazing span of 75
years.
With a June, 2011
90th birthday one month away, John Kelly has
not allowed age to interfere with his devotion to
special interests. He has dedicated countless hours to
the PSMHS research library and our collection of ship’s
plans.
His first
volunteering came at an early age with his involvement
with the Sea Scouts. He is still active with that
organization and says the time spent with those young
people has helped him maintain a youthful outlook.
John’s colleagues
in our research library call him a walking encyclopedia
of naval architecture and boat building dating before to
WW II.
After attending
Edison Tech (now Seattle Community College) and
University of Washington, John worked for Carl
Nordstrom’s father and in 1953 joined Marco Shipyard.
He spent his entire marine career at Marco as a shipyard
engineer. His former boss, Peter Schmidt (Marco CEO)
says John was incredibly devoted to his work and his
volunteer activities.
John’s volunteer
activities include our organization, The Sea Scouts and
their vessel, YANKEE CLIPPER, and the Log Cabin Museum
in West Seattle.
Congratulations,
John!
