Buoy Eight, The Rest Of The Story

Some of you may have noticed that there is a new, genuine USCG buoy light now in place on top of our respectful Buoy 8. It replaces a rather sad, very small, little red light.

There is a story behind this. There was a guy named Hal Alabaster, who was married to my wife Diane’s best friend’s Mom, whose nickname was “Puff.” Puff was like a second mother to Diane, whose Mom had passed away at the young age of 61. They had been close since Diane was 12, since she was her best friend’s Mom.

Many years later, Hal had retired from an Air Force career, some civil service, and was now retiring as the Public Information officer for NOAA over on Sand Point. One of his retirement gifts was a black, two stage, white over green lens, buoy light, which he used as a yard light in front of his home for many years. Puff passed away a few years ago, and Hal shortly after that. We had been cruising together a few times over the years; and their last wish was to have their ashes spread together off Point No Point. All of the kids and us got together, cruised up there, had a nice ceremony, and watched their ashes slip into the sea. However, with that type of ceremony, it is a little hard to go visit your dear departed ones later on.

Well, the estate was settled, everything passed on to the kids, who promptly took the buoy light from the front yard and turned it over to us, knowing I was an ex-Coastie and thanking us for the ceremonial cruise. We all were thinking I could use it as a yard light too. I had been thinking about doing that for a couple of years when I noticed one day this poor, feeble, little red light on top of our Buoy Eight. It struck me that our club really needed that original, actual buoy light more than I did. I can’t take it with me when I cross the bar, but the light can shine for everyone.

So I took the light apart, rebuilt it to a single lens and repainted it red. Thanks to Dick McGrew who did the rewiring and mounting job: it is now done. So while it lights the memories for all our departed Queen City members, it also stands as reminder to the lives of Hal and Diane “Puff” Alabaster, and has turned into a spot where another family can share the memories of their departed loved ones.

May they all rest in peace.

Ron Stevenson