Note: If you know of a Lightship Sailor who has Crossed Over The Bar PLEASE contact us right away. Don't leave it for "the other guy" to do. Thank you. Just fill out the simple form below.

Crossed Over The Bar 2003

William Rogers 

5-11-03

Chestertown Maryland 

AMBROSE LIGHTSHIP

BMC Joseph Tamalonis

It's my sad duty to inform you of the passing of BMC Joseph Tamalonis of Bandon , Oregon .
 
He served with the US Coast Guard for 31 years ,  this included his duty as CO ( OinC ) of Lightship 78 / WAL 505 which was sunk in 1960 when a passing steamer collided in heavy fog , causing the Relief Lightship to go down at AMBROSE STATION  , New York Harbor .
 
His daughter asked me to inform the CG community of his passing .
 
BMC Tamalonis Crossed The Bar on Saturday , March 1 , 2003 , without any recognition from the local USCG District in Seattle , or Coos Bay , Oregon .
 
It is my hope that he will get the recognition he deserves from his fellow Coast Guard members .
 
More can be found about BMC Tamalonis and his fellow crewmen of Relief , LV 78 / 505 on the internet at the following sites ;
 
http://www.uscglightshipsailors.org/sinking_lightship78_024.htm
 

Respectfully ;

Douglas M. Bingham

CPO Rollo B. Gerrish

I know I don't post to this list, but I wanted to announce the passing of a Lightship Sailor.  His name is CPO Rollo B. Gerrish of North Berwick, Maine.  We both severed on the (Portland turned) Nantucket Light vessel, WLB 612 out of Boston, Mass in the early 70s.  He died approximately a month ago from what I believe to be complications of diabetes.  He was a good and cherished friend.  I will miss him dearly.

submitted by,

Carroll D Reimer-Schmidt PO3

Jim Gill President 07/01/23 to 02/10/03

Crossed Over the Bar 2004

Copyright  2004  United States Coast Guard Lightship Sailors by MGM IMAGING . All rights reserved.

Copyrights also protected by the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 Revised: 04/10/07.