b'MEMBERNEWS: OBITUARIESPVA Bids Farewell to Several Long-Time MembersThe loss of four long-time PVA supporters has left a mark. This year, the Passenger Vessel Association has lost Donald Fromm of Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Steamboat, Gary Seabrook of Hornblower Group, Ed Verzella of Ben Franklin Yachts, and Edwin Brown of Whites Ferry. Donald FrommBridgeport/Port Jefferson SteamboatOn June 27, Donald Don Fromm,and adored our wonderful friend with 68, passed away from brain cancer.all of our hearts. Many wonderful He was the Operations Manager/ memories with Donny and his Port Captain of the Bridgeport/Portbeautiful wife. Dinners, trips, watching Jefferson Steamboat, Port Jefferson,them become grandparentswhat an NY. He also served for many yearsamazing man to be blessed with an on the PVA Safety and Securityamazing family. His sense of humor Committee as co-chair, and was a pastand love of life made him even more member of the PVA Board of Directors.lovable. You will forever be in our Fromm started at the ferry in 1989hearts, Donny. We hear your laughter and, according to his family, called theand feel your love. RIP our dear friend operation his work home. Known astill we meet again. Captain Don to friends, he had grownScot Graham CAPT USCG (Ret) up with a father and other relativeswrote, I had the extreme pleasure of who were merchant seamen, and hadknowing him and working with him followed the same career path afterin my many years of Coast Guard graduating from Oceanside HighPast PVA Board of Directors member Don Fromm (left)service. Don was a stand out port passed away on June 27. He served on the PVA Safety School in Nassau County. He earned aand Security Committee with Dave Anderson (right).partner in the maritime transporta-tugboat captains license while workingtion system in every sense of the word. for the Poling Marine transportationand five grandchildren. His brothers,An unequivocal professional and a company, and later had jobs at severalRobert, Gerard, Thomas Fromm, andgo-to guy.you could count on Don other marine companies before joiningMichael also survive.to give you the right and good in-McAllister Towing, which operates theIn online comments, Don was re- formation and guidance. Invaluable Bridgeport/Port Jefferson Steamboat.membered by many friends and col- input always; willing and ready to He leaves behind his wife, Lorraine,leagues, including PVA Past Presidentsupport the common good of the and children Bryan, Michael, andDave Anderson, Fire Island Ferries,maritime community. We were blessed Daniele Fromm Cappiello, as well asBayshore, NY, who said, We lovedto have Don Fromm in our corner. n Gary SeabrookHornblower GroupGary Seabrook, 74, passed away on June 4.met the love of his life, Kathleen Kathy Mannion.He had a long and storied career with Hornblower.From serving as General Manager in Jacksonville He started working at Hornblower Cruises and EventsGary was instrumental in many HMS Global Maritime in the Operations Department in 1987. He was soonprojects over the next 25 years. He was very instrumental promoted to Operations Manager in Marinain the overall success of HMS Global Maritime, del Ray. Shortly after that he was promoted toworking on projects, including: Bahamas Fast Operations Manager for Southern California,Ferry, Bahamas Florida Express, Glory of Rome which included Marina Del Rey and NewportCasino, Trump Casino, Hawaii Superferries, Beach. In 1992, Gary was promoted to GeneralRochester to Toronto Ferry, Trinidad Ferry, Manager in San Francisco where he was re- Puerto Rico Ferry, and American Queen sponsible for the daily operations of fourSteamboat Company.dinner cruise vessels.Gary will be remembered as a loving When John Waggoner founded HMS Globalpartner, father, grandfather, brother and Maritime in 1994, Gary asked if he could join the team.friend to many. He is survived by his long-time partner He became our General Manager of the JacksonvilleKathleen Mannion, beloved daughter Fanya Seabrook, Ferry and moved from San Francisco to Jacksonvilletwo grandchildren, Quinn and Nico Miller, and siblings Florida. It was while working in Jacksonville that GaryBruce, Larry and Robert Smith. n42AUGUST 2020FOGHORN'