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Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121375 10/01/02 12:44 AM
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Dave H Offline OP
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You have by now read the untimely news of the passing of Bill O'Brien, oseabee here in the Forums. In another thread it was suggested that we do something to honor Bill. In the past, this fine Wacko family has chipped in and sent flowers or plants to families at the time of loss. (We were the recipients of one of those plants 2 years ago, and it was probably the most special one we received.) Since there is not going to be a funeral for Bill, it was suggested that we contribute to a cause in his name. Mombo offered to be the person to collect those gifts from Forum Members.

In conversations with John and Mombo today, I made the following suggestion as to how we can honor Bill in very special ways. My suggestions were:

(1) Buy a shingle at Block Island Southeast Light. This light is the 2002 Wacko light. Bill was a Wacko, and served as a Cruise Director for a while.

(2) Purchase a couple of bricks at Avery Point Lighthouse . Bill was born and raised in New England. This light is the one built by the USCG as a memorial to Lightkeepers. Bill often noted how he enjoyed the history of the lights. This light honors all Lightkeepers. Bill will be forever remembered as a Lightkeeper.

(3) Contribute to the restoration of the Anclote Key Lighthouse . Bill's club, the Tampa Bay Harbour Lights Club, has adopted the Anclote Key project and done quite a bit of work there. This would honor Bill in the area he lived.

We need to raise at least $300 - $100 to each of the above. Anything above $300 would be given to Anclote Key. Our suggested donation to this project is $10, but any amount will be appreciated. Make checks out to Susan LeFever (Mombo). She will collect the funds and make the distribution on our behalf. I would ask that you make any contributions by October 21st, so that Mombo can finalize our gifts and get them sent off.

If you knew Bill from the Forums, or read his posts, or received his post cards in the exchanges, I hope that you will contribute. If you thought enough of him to wear his Wacko name Badge at the Reunion, I hope that you will contribute. This is a goal we can achieve, and not only honor our friend, but help preserve lighthouses in his honor. Thanks for your support.

Dave

Please send contributions to:

Susan LeFever
9110-1 West River Rd
Phoenix, NY 13135

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121376 10/01/02 01:27 AM
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wheland Offline
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Dave / Sue,

Check will be in the mail in the morning.

Dennis

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121377 10/01/02 01:39 AM
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mombo Offline
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Also, please include your email address with your donation, so that I can acknowledge receipt. Thanks.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121378 10/01/02 01:49 AM
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Bill was a very dear friend of mine and a check will be in the mail tomorrow! I never had the chance to meet him but we exchanged several postcards, and small lighthouse items and a great friendship I talked to him almost daily on the computer. I have talked to his son and daughter and they are having a service at the Chatham Lighthouse in Cape Cod ( not sure when) the family will be notifying me and I was thinking maybe we could get some people to go. I live in Toledo, Ohio and have a van that seats 7, if anyone would be interested in sharing expenses. Please e mail me if interested. Thanks Kay E-Mail KayP52066@aol.com

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121379 10/01/02 02:01 AM
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Bill and I chatted quite often on AIM... he'll be missed. I'll get a check in the mail next week.

Gary

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121380 10/01/02 11:48 AM
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MtnHkr Offline
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Check is in the mail, Sue! This is a grat idea. A memorial gift in BIll's name and lighthouse preservation at the same time. GREAT!!


Bert

No mountain is too tall if your first step is belief. -Anonymous
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121381 10/01/02 01:41 PM
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My check is on the way, Sue. Thanks for handling this.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121382 10/01/02 02:07 PM
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Tom and Joyce Abbott Offline
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Our check is also in the mail. Thanks for taking this on Sue.


Tom & Joyce
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121383 10/01/02 02:25 PM
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I will also contribute. I am sure Bill will be very honored to have a shingle or a brick with his name on it at a lighthouse.

Joanne

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121384 10/01/02 08:22 PM
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Shortcake Offline
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Mombo, my check went out in todays mail.

Thanks for donating your time to do this for Bill and all us WACKO's!

Stephanie


Stephanie


God may have created man before woman,
but there is always a rough draft before the masterpiece.
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121385 10/02/02 12:34 AM
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Lorie Roe Offline
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I also enjoyed exchanging postcards with Bill. He will be missed by all his HL friends.

Sue, my check will be in the mail tomorrow. Thanks for all you do.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121386 10/02/02 11:17 AM
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WackoPaul Offline
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Thanks, Sue, the check is on it's way!!


Onward to The Land of the Midnight Sun!
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121387 10/03/02 11:37 PM
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I was so saddened to read about Bill's passing. I will be very happy to contribute in his memory.
Thanks, Sue for doing this.

Barb


Barb
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121388 10/04/02 07:48 PM
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Randy Kremer Offline
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Thanks for taking care of this Sue, my check will be in the mail tomorrow.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121389 10/08/02 09:38 PM
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Floating this back into view again.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121390 10/09/02 02:03 AM
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I have received a good number of contributions already and we are coming along nicely towards attaining our goal. For those who still want to contribute remember we'd like to have your check no later than October 21st. Thanks.

Sue

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121391 10/15/02 12:26 PM
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mombo Offline
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Just one more reminder on this. As previously mentioned, we'd like to wrap this up by the 21st. All donations received to date have been acknowledged and are greatly appreciated.

If you would still like to contribute towards Bill's memorial fund now is the time to do so. Thanks.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121392 10/16/02 12:26 PM
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Bob M Offline
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I brought this one back to the top to remind everyone that the 21st is just around the corner. Mail your contribution today, don't delay!

smile Bob smile

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121393 10/16/02 06:32 PM
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RIP Puls Offline
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Check will be on the way in AM.Just saw this today


RIP
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121394 10/20/02 02:23 AM
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Dave H Offline OP
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With the contributions received so far, we will be able to buy a shingle at Block Island Southeast Light, and the 2 bricks at Avery Point. All funds over the $200 needed for these will be donated to support restoration of Anclote Key Light. There is still time if you wish to donate. Please send Mombo an email so she knows that your contribution is on the way.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us in this effort to have permanent memorials honoring oseabee.

Dave

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121395 10/20/02 06:45 PM
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MtnHkr Offline
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I believe that I speak for all of us when I say that a very big "THANK YOU" is due to the impromptu committee that came up with this wonderful way of memorializing Bill. It is a pleasure to be part of such a wonderful group of people.

"THANK YOU!"


Bert

No mountain is too tall if your first step is belief. -Anonymous
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121396 10/21/02 12:01 AM
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wheland Offline
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I second that emotion. Thanks to all who jumped in and made this possible.

It's a great gesture for a true Lightouse Person.

Dennis

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121397 10/24/02 07:42 PM
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I have been off of the Forums for the better part of two weeks due to moving and aquiring a new service & email address. MJ is putting a check in the mail Sue - better late than never. I'll miss Bill's posts and I think that this is a wonderful idea.

Ron
(CT Keeper)


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Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121398 11/06/02 06:21 PM
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Just to give everyone here a bit of an update. As Dave H stated in the beginning post -

Quote:
(3) Contribute to the restoration of the Anclote Key Lighthouse. Bill's club, the Tampa Bay Harbour Lights Club, has adopted the Anclote Key project and done quite a bit of work there. This would honor Bill in the area he lived.

We need to raise at least $300 - $100 to each of the above. Anything above $300 would be given to Anclote Key.
The Tampa Bay Harbour Lights Collector's Club is still taking donations for the memorial they would like to place in Bill's (Oseabee) honor. The money will go to benefit the Anclote Key Lighthouse. In honor of Bill, two park benches will be installed on the lighthouse property after the restoration of the lighthouse is complete. They will be engraved "In Loving Memory of Bill O'Brien (Oseabee)" {or something very close to that}.

During their trip, which I was very privileged to join (read Tampa Bay Club Trip to Florida Pan Handle for details of our adventures smile ), Wayne notified all in attendance that the club was still accpecting money to help the lighthouse in Bill's honor. Everyone on the trip gave a generous donation in Bill's Honor. If you have not given in Bill's honor and would like to do so, or you would just like to help the Anclote Key Lighthouse with it's restoration you can send a check to:

Tampa Bay Harbour Lights Collectors Club
P O Box 340104
Tampa, FL 33694


BonnieJean
bjexum@floridalighthouses.org
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Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121399 11/07/02 06:09 PM
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DeDo Offline
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Hi Bonnie,

Thanks for bringing the memorials to Bill back to the top. I thought I had missed the deadline to Sue. I'm glad I can still contribute to the Anclote Key restoration in Bill's name. Never met Bill but enjoyed exchanging postcards with him. The fact that my Dad was also a Seabee always made Bill special to me. Will get a check out to the Tampa Club.

Thanks,
Donna (DeDo)

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121400 11/20/02 12:54 AM
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Dave H Offline OP
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During the regional event in Florida last Saturday, I had the privilege and honor to present Wayne Hawes, president of the Tampa Bay Harbour Lights Collectors Club, a check. Due to the wonderful support and generosity of all those who contributed, the check given to Wayne was for $320, well above what the original target was. Your support of this memorial project shows the true spirit of this very special forum family.

Wayne indicated that the Tampa Bay club had committed to purchase two memorial benches to be placed at the base of the Anclote Key tower, and the funds we gave will allow the purchase of two more. Future generations of lighthouse lovers will be able to sit and enjoy the beauty of the Anclote Key light. Memories of Bill will surround the light. Thanks for your support.

Dave

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121401 11/20/02 01:54 AM
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Fantastic!

What a great group we have here. You all are the greatest!

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121402 11/20/02 05:13 AM
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Dave presenting the check to Wayne...


Onward to The Land of the Midnight Sun!
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121403 11/20/02 11:36 AM
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WOW! I think that's great! I've seen those benches at some of the lighthouses (Nubble, etc.) and was always impressed that a loved one was remembered that way.
Bob

ps Great job Sue and committeee!~ laugh


LONG ISLAND BOB
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121404 11/20/02 01:17 PM
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Thanks to the generosity of his fellow collectors we were able to make this significant memorial to Bill at Anclote Key as well as contribute to the restoration of the Avery Point and Southeast Block Island Lighthouses! smile

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121405 05/21/06 08:55 PM
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Weasel58 Offline
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Well I know it's been almost four years, but the Benches are in. I've been meaning to get a picture for the forum since they went in back in January. I was able to get this photo from Ray Van Heck, the unofficial photographer for the "Friends of Anclote" CSO. Thanks again Ray!



Eric
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121406 05/21/06 09:16 PM
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Dave H Offline OP
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Thanks for obtaining the picture, Eric. A nice memorial to Bill. Hopefully visitors to the light will enjoy the benches.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121407 05/21/06 09:24 PM
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What a lovely tribute!


beachcomber
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121408 05/21/06 10:18 PM
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MrsTLC Offline
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He was such a great guy, and it's nice to see what was put together to remember him.


Ruthie
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Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121409 05/22/06 02:15 AM
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Bill was a great guy, very outgoing. He is missed here still.

Thanks, Eric, for following up and getting the photo from Ray. Nice to know his the "O'Seabees" handle lives on around Anclote Key. Maybe we can hang a WACKO badge there sometime in his memory.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121410 05/22/06 08:35 PM
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AZlightkeeper Offline
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Thanks, Eric, for the picture! I miss Bill, we would chat online for hours. I second Ruthie's comment "He was such a great guy".


Jim
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121411 05/22/06 09:13 PM
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wheland Offline
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Eric,

Thanks for posting that.

Has anybody checked the walkway of bricks up at Avery Point? Didn't we do a brick for him up there as well?

Ron (Foster) if you stop in maybe you or someone else up in that area can answer it for us.

Dennis

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121412 05/22/06 09:42 PM
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Dave H Offline OP
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We did all three, Dennis. There should be 2 bricks at Avery Point and a shingle at Block Island SE. Someone told me they knew where the bricks at Avery were - maybe it was Ron.

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121413 05/23/06 01:18 AM
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wheland Offline
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I forgot all about the Block Island Shingle.

I'd like to get back to block Island one of these days and check that out.

Dennis

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121414 05/24/06 02:19 AM
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Well folks, I have to tell you all something. I wasn't here in 2002 and I never had the pleasure of meeting or talking with Bill, but I have to say the man must have been very special and must be very proud of what you all did in and for his memory. You should all be very proud of yourselves. I think it is great what you all so selfishly did and I am pleased to know you all even though most of us havent met...yet!

smile cool


regalhobo
Tom K

:) :cool:
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) #121415 05/24/06 03:27 AM
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MrsTLC Offline
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It's funny you should say this...
Quote:
I never had the pleasure of meeting or talking with Bill
I never had the honor to meet or talk with Bill in person either but it feels as though I did. We were looking forward to meeting him at the Baltimore Reunion in 2001 but fate stepped in and that never was to be...I felt like I knew him on a personal level because of the forums. He was such a big part of the friendships that are formed here. I know it's the lighthouses that bring us all here but it's the wonderful people that keep me and I think others coming back. smile


Ruthie
"Where words fail, Music speaks"
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) [Re: Dave H] #211569 03/13/21 11:09 PM
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Weasel58 Offline
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I was out on Anclote Keys today. We spent the day repairing some of these benches. We rebuilt the seats and backs of two of the four benches that have Bill's name on them. We didn't touch the bench shown above, but I thought it would be a good idea to show how 15 years of salt air and sun had aged it. The other benches have metal plates with Bill's enscription.

Attached Files
IMG_2658.JPG (19 downloads)

Eric
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) [Re: Dave H] #211570 03/13/21 11:17 PM
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Weasel58 Offline
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Here is one of the metal plaque and one of the benches with replacement composite wood installed.

Attached Files
IMG_2665.JPG (18 downloads)
IMG_2662.JPG (18 downloads)

Eric
Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) [Re: Dave H] #211571 03/15/21 03:29 PM
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Dave H Offline OP
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Eric,

All things considered, those benches have done very well for being in that environment for 15 years.

For benches like the one in your first post, ones where the back boards are routered with the message, are they going to be able to do anything to help preserve? Like some stain or sealant?

Thanks for your help at Anclote and thanks for sharing your pictures and update with us.

Dave

Re: Help us Honor oseabee (Bill O'Brien) [Re: Dave H] #211573 03/16/21 12:13 AM
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Weasel58 Offline
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Dave,

We discussed it and we are thinking of replacing the seats with composite and treating the back rest with a preservative / stain to help protect it so it will last. The back rest is in good shape considering where it has been sitting for the last fifteen years. This seat faces southeast so it gets full sun on the back rest almost all day.

Hopefully on our next work day we can get a coat of preservative on the bench.


Eric

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