I took a picture on July 5, 2008 of Gill, on the Lady Cecile, sailing past us, as my husband and I strolled along the Hudson river, close to our home. He was waving at us and we wondered where his journey would take him. I was sad to hear about the fate of Lady Cecile. I hope all is well with Gill now.
A few weeks ago I received a letter from him. He left St. Augustine in his 30' sailboat that he acquired in St. A. He was headed to Ft. Lauderdale to find work and get this boat in shape to continue his plan of going to Cuba and earning money giving people sailboat rides. He does not do internet, but if I hear from him I will let him know you inquired about him.
Just got a letter from Gill. His address for now is Gill, c/o Jeff, 2815 Grant Rd., Grant, Fl. 32949. He is anchored off shore and painting a house to earn money to get to Miami and get a new passport. (Then off to Cuba.) His dingy sunk in St.A., and he lost all his papers as they were in the backpack he lost. Immigrations are hassling him, so I hope he doesn't get busted. I am sure he would appreciate hearing from friends. He is anchored off shore in shallow water in Grant, Fl. 1/2/09
after the great front page follow ullp story, the tv crew showed up and he was on 6pm news! we had a small benefit at Millhouse Tavern, Lonesome Burt & the Skinny Lizzards playing. small boat jobs lining up. he is holding up well. i admire Gill for his positive attitude. he is, of course, grieving, but looking forward and moving on, one baby step at a time. the "Shipwreck Fund" has been set up at Prosperity Bank.thank you for caring and reading this.
Things are coming together here. We got the rest of the boat off the beach yesterday. People in town are helping set up some support and funding to help, newspaper will be putting out follow up article next day or two, started app. for temp green card to work. Locals have donated clothes, bicycle, rides, money, and food. We appreciate everyone's help! There is a fund account set up for him at Prosperity Bank, details in next newspaper. Stay tuned and thanx for reading and caring!
Gill's phone is 361-205-4576. do not call unless you have important info or help, and keep it short, as his minutes are expensive and he needs them for the red tape guys. :)
i am here, and we are trying to get rest of boat (cockpit and mast) off beach. very hard, and we have 3 young boys helping.
pray for Gill. he is recovering from injured shoulder, back, and front teeth and glasses are gone.
he is brave, and anxious to finish the red tape and be able to work again.
inteleo, i thank you for this posting, and ask if gill is physically ok. it sounds like he is. and i am considering a motorcycle trip down there. i know his heart is broken. i hope his spirit is not!
last i heard, he was on his way to cuba to give rides. he expected financial help and investors in quebec, but could not afford the very high slip fees, so was off to cuba to give rides so public could enjoy her while he prepared her for trip around the world! see next comment for pt 2.
Hello. I'm really sorry to have to let you know that Lady Cecile grounded on Vilano Beach, just north of the Inlet at St Augustine Florida during Tropical Storm Fay on Wednesday August 20th 2008. Despite strenuous efforts to pull her off the beach by the Coast Guard and a local shrimp boat, she was wrecked by the breakers. Even destroyed as she was, you could see her beeeeeeautiful lines. Poor Gill. We'll look out for you around town and buy you a beer....
Hi, ma just sitting here in Rockport sweating on the last day of vacation. Pirjo caught a bunch of fish the other day on the boat and then we bbq'd them. Any word from Gil?
Haven't heard in awhile. Last note, he was in a small town near Montreal and his kids, stuck in Canada for 3 years with back taxes. And not happy.
ohsolma 7 months ago
I took a picture on July 5, 2008 of Gill, on the Lady Cecile, sailing past us, as my husband and I strolled along the Hudson river, close to our home. He was waving at us and we wondered where his journey would take him. I was sad to hear about the fate of Lady Cecile. I hope all is well with Gill now.
thinkje 7 months ago
A few weeks ago I received a letter from him. He left St. Augustine in his 30' sailboat that he acquired in St. A. He was headed to Ft. Lauderdale to find work and get this boat in shape to continue his plan of going to Cuba and earning money giving people sailboat rides. He does not do internet, but if I hear from him I will let him know you inquired about him.
ohsolma 3 years ago
Just got a letter from Gill. His address for now is Gill, c/o Jeff, 2815 Grant Rd., Grant, Fl. 32949. He is anchored off shore and painting a house to earn money to get to Miami and get a new passport. (Then off to Cuba.) His dingy sunk in St.A., and he lost all his papers as they were in the backpack he lost. Immigrations are hassling him, so I hope he doesn't get busted. I am sure he would appreciate hearing from friends. He is anchored off shore in shallow water in Grant, Fl. 1/2/09
ohsolma 3 years ago
where are you gill?
ericreige 3 years ago
after the great front page follow ullp story, the tv crew showed up and he was on 6pm news! we had a small benefit at Millhouse Tavern, Lonesome Burt & the Skinny Lizzards playing. small boat jobs lining up. he is holding up well. i admire Gill for his positive attitude. he is, of course, grieving, but looking forward and moving on, one baby step at a time. the "Shipwreck Fund" has been set up at Prosperity Bank.thank you for caring and reading this.
ohsolma 3 years ago
Things are coming together here. We got the rest of the boat off the beach yesterday. People in town are helping set up some support and funding to help, newspaper will be putting out follow up article next day or two, started app. for temp green card to work. Locals have donated clothes, bicycle, rides, money, and food. We appreciate everyone's help! There is a fund account set up for him at Prosperity Bank, details in next newspaper. Stay tuned and thanx for reading and caring!
ohsolma 3 years ago
Gill's phone is 361-205-4576. do not call unless you have important info or help, and keep it short, as his minutes are expensive and he needs them for the red tape guys. :)
i am here, and we are trying to get rest of boat (cockpit and mast) off beach. very hard, and we have 3 young boys helping.
pray for Gill. he is recovering from injured shoulder, back, and front teeth and glasses are gone.
he is brave, and anxious to finish the red tape and be able to work again.
ohsolma 3 years ago
Google "Lady Cecile St. Augustine Fl"
there are several stories and videos to be seen.
poor Lady Cecile is scattered in pieces!
i watch this video above with great sadness!
ohsolma 3 years ago
i hope his journey is written about and acknowledged, and contributions come to the building/rebuilding.
Gill is a marine biologist and boat builder who has a lot to teach and share with others, and does it kindly and patiently.
so many loved that boat(and Gill)! Gill put 6 years of restoring and totally making that 100 year old boat alive and shining again.
dreams smashed. im glad gill is alive! i will never see another boat like the Grand Lady!!!
was a pleasure to help polish her!
ohsolma 3 years ago
inteleo, i thank you for this posting, and ask if gill is physically ok. it sounds like he is. and i am considering a motorcycle trip down there. i know his heart is broken. i hope his spirit is not!
last i heard, he was on his way to cuba to give rides. he expected financial help and investors in quebec, but could not afford the very high slip fees, so was off to cuba to give rides so public could enjoy her while he prepared her for trip around the world! see next comment for pt 2.
ohsolma 3 years ago
Hello. I'm really sorry to have to let you know that Lady Cecile grounded on Vilano Beach, just north of the Inlet at St Augustine Florida during Tropical Storm Fay on Wednesday August 20th 2008. Despite strenuous efforts to pull her off the beach by the Coast Guard and a local shrimp boat, she was wrecked by the breakers. Even destroyed as she was, you could see her beeeeeeautiful lines. Poor Gill. We'll look out for you around town and buy you a beer....
intileo 3 years ago
Hi, ma just sitting here in Rockport sweating on the last day of vacation. Pirjo caught a bunch of fish the other day on the boat and then we bbq'd them. Any word from Gil?
oysterdog287909 3 years ago
did i see the oryster dog next slip over.nice video
longcastman 3 years ago