Today I am dedicating the show to a very special friend and confidant. I want to take a joyous moment to reflect and rekindle the wonderful memories of My 1 st Mate and best friend, Murray.

Murray’s Mama and along with his siblings were rescued from the Boat yard, behind the Sailing club, hiding in a Nostalgic Hull #1 Martha’s Vineyard Wooden Cat Boat of all things, that had sunk in a storm and was being resurrected by a reluctant owner, who had to break out another thousand on a weekly basis.

It was there that the voyage begun for this little fluff ball and what a voyage it was about to be and eventually became.

We were ALL about to enter a new era, with a new administration, both at the Marina and in the Nation. I had just come back from the Carribean on a Photo excursion with a close friend and the country was totting gleefully hope & change. The marina itself was about to begin a decade long refurbishing and restoration and feral Mama Cat and her little gremlins were looking at the world from the deck and cockpit of a famous classic shipwreck sitting majestically high atop a trailer.

It was there that I first encountered the clan, not knowing what was in store for all of us. The Sailors at the clubhouse tolerated the intruders and entertained our guests until they were weaned and with tireless effort, found them all wonderful homes and safe harbors, each of them - one-

by-one except for the little orange TABBY who took to the port and his Captain like a seasoned shanghaied sailor.

He protected the Yard, the docks, and our boats, both in the trailer yard behind the clubhouse and in the slips in the marina, from those dastardly birds and gave love and affection to everyone he got to know, and went on cruises around the harbor, hid out when he didn’t want to go and hid-

way like a sneaky stowaway on trips around the harbor and to the islands once in awhile when he felt the need to be close by.

Murray the Cat is the honorary recipient of the Coveted Commodore’s Corinthian Spirit award for dedicated service (as a greeter and protector of the club-house and port) at the historic SCCYC, given by then Commodore Trevor. Possibly the only feline to have such an honor.

I’ll miss my little buddy. There will be a burial at sea sometime in the future and you’ll be the first to know.. Check out some photos above. I know that he is with me in spirit and I’ll always have fond memories of this little critter who warmed my heart this past decade with unconditional love and devotion.

Rest In Peace my furry friend and 1 st Mate and companion, Mr. Murray, Murray!!