[Rhodes22-list] Elton

[Michael Weisner]

My wife and I had the pleasure of Elton's company several times.  He was at home anywhere. He and I talked about anything and everything, especially sailing and politics.  He was always welcome at my home and table.

One day, about 7 or 8 years ago, I received a call from Stan. Elton's van had transmission trouble and he was attempting to complete a delivery of a brand new Rhodes 22.  He wanted to know if my vehicle was available to pick up Elton and help him deliver the boat.  He didn't have to ask me twice. My wife and I dropped what we were doing and drove to where the van had broken down.  We collected the boat and brought Elton some much needed tranny fluid to get the van to the nearest service facility.  In what seemed like an hour or two, we had unpacked everything, assembled all of the pieces, raised the mast and launched the boat. As I left Elton with his empty trailer in tow, he was doing what he enjoyed the most, showing off his brother's handiwork to the new owners (this was their second Rhodes 22), teaching them how everything worked, as they sailed it to their marina.

Elton came by the house a couple of weeks later to pick up the delivery trailer with his newly rebuilt transmission.  We talked for hours.  He insisted on giving me a folding seat for the cockpit.  To this day, it is the most comfortable place to sit. Now, I will think of him every time I sit in it.

"I can't believe the news today, I can't close my eyes and make it go away." U2. Elton will be missed.

Mike
s/v Windlass ('91)
Nissequogue River, NY