I have posted before about Steve Moore, aka “Wonder Boy”. When I was in school at St. George’s, Steve was unbeatable. I saw him infrequently after that. And then perhaps three years ago I was invited to sail on “Laura-Ann” by Rich DuMoulin. Arriving in Block Island I discovered that the crew was made up of many old acquaintances; Steve being one of them. Someone had pasted “AARP” on the transom. This was a case of old dogs teaching new tricks.
I am saddened to hear of Steve’s passing.
EIGHT BELLS
Stephen W. Moore died in a hospice on October 22nd, 2012 – 4 days after his
66th birthday. In his junior days, Steve was the outstanding junior sailor
on Long Island Sound, winning the Clinton M. Bell Trophy three times, with
crew Peter Rugg. Thereafter, as Long Island Sound sailors know so well, he
became a top notch helmsman and navigator on boats large and small, from
his IC dinghy to many an ocean racing boat. During his sailmaking career,
Steve worked for Hard Sails, North Sails and UK.
Through the 35 years of our Carter 39 Blaze and then our Express 37 Lora
Ann, Steve was our tactician. Always grumbling at anyone within earshot,
Steve pushed us all hard. He had a great sense of humor and an uncanny
ability to write humorous songs (“du Moulin the Long Island Pervert ”
probably the most famous) and New Years Frostbite Regatta Awards (for
skulling, capsizing, getting stuck in the mud, ramming your old man, etc).
Ten years ago Steve had triple bypass the same year he was diagnosed with
diabetes. That spring he could only get around with a two-wheeled
“walker.” We invited Steve to join our house at Block Island Race Week
with the understanding he would stay ashore for festivities but not sail.
As we prepared to depart Payne’s Dock for the first race, Steve came
“rolling” down Payne’s, sat on the edge of the dock and slid aboard. He
hung the walker over the stern pulpit and proceeded to wrap himself around
the backstay daring anyone to put him ashore. He resumed his tactician
role and led Lora Ann to a class win at Race Week, with the walker hanging
over the stern. Some bright competitor placed a “Team AARP” sticker on the
transom where it still resides.
In December there will be a service at Manhasset Bay Yacht Club for Steve.