In Memoriam

Alan Moore Somers
1947 – 2008

Captain Al Somers slipped his moorage for the last time on February 9, 2008 at age 60.   An energetic and active man, Alan had been afflicted for over 30 years with Crohn’s Disease and was diagnosed last year with cancer of the liver.   Al was born in Seattle on September 11, 1947, and grew up in the Montlake and Laurelhurst neighborhoods. He “grew up” on boats because his Mom & Dad, Queen City members Hester and Floyd Somers, took Al cruising from the time he was in diapers.  Hester, a long time Tarette, developed a diaper “pre-laundry process” by towing dirty diapers tied to the swim step of their Chris Craft!  Al attended Roosevelt High School, and then graduated from the University of Puget Sound.  While at UPS, Al joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity and maintained contact with some of the SAE brothers throughout his life.

Al and Sue met while both were working in the banking industry while putting together ATM access for credit unions.  They were married in Feb 1985 holding their wedding reception at the club. Al & Sue have resided in Kingston since 1989.  Their first child was a beautiful daughter born in 1992 but tragically died in 2001 from heart disease complications.  In 2004, Al and Sue were blessed with twin baby boys, Nicky and Teddy now active three and a half year olds.

Al had a long, varied and successful career in banking and in the credit union industry, including starting up a mortgage banking operation for the Washington State Credit Union League. Previous to the state Credit Union League, he had worked for the Federal Reserve Bank, Prudential Mutual Savings Bank and in the savings and loan industry.  

In 1991, he opened Cruise Holidays of Silverdale and has arranged for many West Sound residents’ cruise vacations over the years. Cruise Holidays of Silverdale is a cruise retail business specializing in cruise travel, providing expertise in matching clients with cruise ships and destinations that fit what’s right for their customers.  Sue will be continuing the business.

Al was very active in Kiwanis and was on the Board of Directors for Rainier Pacific Bank in Tacoma. He was also a life member of Queen City Yacht Club in Seattle and was affiliated with financial industry associations.

Al joined Queen City in 1971 following his Dad Floyd Somers, himself a very active QCYC member who had joined in 1945. Al was a faithful attender of Friday Lunch and he and Sue often had weekend breakfasts at the club before they moved to Kingston.  Captain Somers developed a clever annual event which he held each spring called the “Waxing Party”.  All friends that showed up to help wax the “Endless Summer” or later the “Blue Jeans” enjoyed all kinds of refreshments and beverages followed by an afternoon & evening sail. Also, the participating “waxers” were each invited for a summer weekend sailing adventure!  While a member, Al owned three sailboats; “Raindance” a 30 ft Coronado, the “Kia-Ora”, which Al renamed “Endless Summer”, a 30 ft Coronado and the “Blue Jeans” a 36 ft Erickson.  The “Blue Jeans” was sold just last year as Al was thinking about a power boat that would be more easy and suitable for cruising with his little boys.

Above all else, Al loved the water and boats. He spent his entire life on, in, and around the waters of Puget Sound. Although he was a quiet and private man, Al touched many lives and he will be greatly missed.

Al is survived by Sue his wife of 22 years, his 3 -year-old twin boys, Nicky and Teddy and his aunt Lorraine Somers of West Vancouver, BC.