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Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jeff Monroe, who helped transform Portland's waterfront, dies at 71
May 20—Jeff Monroe knew how to get things done. He was fiercely ambitious and keenly observant, and his former colleges and friends say that when he was passionate about something he went all in, whether that meant collecting hundreds of model trains in his basement or being ordained as an Anglican priest later in life. Monroe died on May 13, according to his obituary. He was 71. As the director of transportation for the city of Portland — a role he held for about a decade in the late 1990s and early 2000s — Monroe was instrumental in modernizing the working waterfront and expanding the Portland International Jetport, according to former colleagues. He spearheaded the Ocean Gateway project, which was completed in 2008 and moved commercial waterfront operations to the West End and ferry ports and recreational docks to the eastern waterfront. As part of the project, he advocated for the opening of the city's cruise ship terminal, which first allowed ships to dock directly downtown. Friends said he had a deep love for the waterfront and consistently advocated for its expansion and modernization. Tom Meyers worked with Monroe on some of these projects as the transportation and waterfront coordinator for South Portland. Meyers said Monroe was skilled at coming up with an ambitious vision and executing it — sometimes strategically, sometimes with sheer willpower. "He was forceful in what he wanted to accomplish," said Meyers. "Jeff just really understood the system. He understood how to get things done and wasn't afraid to find out where the sticky parts were and get through them." Bill Needleman also worked for the city with Monroe and remembers him as a strong and effective leader who consistently brought projects over the finish line. "He was larger than life, always willing to be in front of the camera. Never shy. Well informed. And occasionally controversial; he was outspoken," said Needleman. Outside of his career with the city, Monroe had many interests, often tied to the maritime industry, which he remained involved with until his death. He taught students at the State University of New York Maritime College and at Massachusetts Maritime, and he led transportation management classes at the University of Southern Maine. He helped organize sailing events that drew thousands to the waterfront, joined the Portland Propeller Club, consulted with ports around New England on their growth and development, and worked as a commercial ship captain. And he joined religious groups like the Freemasons and served as an Anglican priest. "He had a long, salty career," said Nico Walsh, a friend and former colleague who now works as a lawyer. "He left the place a hell of a lot better for having passed through," said another friend, Phineas Sprague, owner of Portland Yacht Services. Monroe lived near Trundy Point in Cape Elizabeth for decades with his wife, Linda. He had two children, Michelle and Michael, according to the Rev. Gary Drinkwater, a longtime friend. In 2017, Monroe became involved with the Anglican Church. Drinkwater was a deacon when he met Monroe just as he was opening up the Anglican Church of Transfiguration in Mechanic Falls. "Jeff had so much spirit and he knew a lot of people, so he helped me find the best place for the church," said Drinkwater. The two became close friends, talking on the phone every couple of days, even when Monroe and his wife began spending chunks of the year in South Carolina. "There are some people that you connect with, you have a chemistry," said Drinkwater, who also had worked on ships. "We could talk the language and share sea stories. It was just a match made in heaven. We even liked a good shot of Irish whiskey occasionally." Drinkwater said Monroe's dogged determination and ability to throw his weight behind what he most believed in extended to his friends. Drinkwater said Monroe was the one who first suggested he become a pastor. "I didn't have near the accolades that man had, but he believed in me, and when he believed in something, it happened," said Drinkwater. "If he put his shoulder to the wheel it moved, and he did that for me." One of Monroe's biggest strengths as a pastor was his ability to translate his passion for his God into digestible sermons that people from all different backgrounds could understand, said Drinkwater. He described Monroe as an accessible preacher who would "champion the lord in language that was understandable by the layperson." Monroe served for years as a pastor at St. Margaret Anglican Church in Conway, New Hampshire. He started a parish at St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church in Old Orchard Beach. When he began spending time in South Carolina, he also served as a pastor at St. Timothy's Anglican Catholic Church in Charleston, according to Drinkwater. Last June, Drinkwater and Monroe went together to the Blessing of the Fleet, where religious leaders in Portland bless boats big and small to kick off the summer season. Drinkwater remembers it was an overcast, windy day in Portland, and as he lifted the reeds from the water, droplets were blowing back in his face, soaking his glasses and clothes by the end of the event. "Well there, you ought to be holy enough now," he remembers Monroe joking. After the event, Drinkwater said, Monroe bought him a pint. Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jeff Monroe, who helped transform Portland's waterfront, dies at 71
May 20—Jeff Monroe knew how to get things done. He was fiercely ambitious and keenly observant, and his former colleges and friends say that when he was passionate about something he went all in, whether that meant collecting hundreds of model trains in his basement or being ordained as an Anglican priest later in life. Monroe died on May 13, according to his obituary. He was 71. As the director of transportation for the city of Portland — a role he held for about a decade in the late 1990s and early 2000s — Monroe was instrumental in modernizing the working waterfront and expanding the Portland International Jetport, according to former colleagues. He spearheaded the Ocean Gateway project, which was completed in 2008 and moved commercial waterfront operations to the West End and ferry ports and recreational docks to the eastern waterfront. As part of the project, he advocated for the opening of the city's cruise ship terminal, which first allowed ships to dock directly downtown. Friends said he had a deep love for the waterfront and consistently advocated for its expansion and modernization. Tom Meyers worked with Monroe on some of these projects as the transportation and waterfront coordinator for South Portland. Meyers said Monroe was skilled at coming up with an ambitious vision and executing it — sometimes strategically, sometimes with sheer willpower. "He was forceful in what he wanted to accomplish," said Meyers. "Jeff just really understood the system. He understood how to get things done and wasn't afraid to find out where the sticky parts were and get through them." Bill Needleman also worked for the city with Monroe and remembers him as a strong and effective leader who consistently brought projects over the finish line. "He was larger than life, always willing to be in front of the camera. Never shy. Well informed. And occasionally controversial; he was outspoken," said Needleman. Outside of his career with the city, Monroe had many interests, often tied to the maritime industry, which he remained involved with until his death. He taught students at the State University of New York Maritime College and at Massachusetts Maritime, and he led transportation management classes at the University of Southern Maine. He helped organize sailing events that drew thousands to the waterfront, joined the Portland Propeller Club, consulted with ports around New England on their growth and development, and worked as a commercial ship captain. And he joined religious groups like the Freemasons and served as an Anglican priest. "He had a long, salty career," said Nico Walsh, a friend and former colleague who now works as a lawyer. "He left the place a hell of a lot better for having passed through," said another friend, Phineas Sprague, owner of Portland Yacht Services. Monroe lived near Trundy Point in Cape Elizabeth for decades with his wife, Linda. He had two children, Michelle and Michael, according to the Rev. Gary Drinkwater, a longtime friend. In 2017, Monroe became involved with the Anglican Church. Drinkwater was a deacon when he met Monroe just as he was opening up the Anglican Church of Transfiguration in Mechanic Falls. "Jeff had so much spirit and he knew a lot of people, so he helped me find the best place for the church," said Drinkwater. The two became close friends, talking on the phone every couple of days, even when Monroe and his wife began spending chunks of the year in South Carolina. "There are some people that you connect with, you have a chemistry," said Drinkwater, who also had worked on ships. "We could talk the language and share sea stories. It was just a match made in heaven. We even liked a good shot of Irish whiskey occasionally." Drinkwater said Monroe's dogged determination and ability to throw his weight behind what he most believed in extended to his friends. Drinkwater said Monroe was the one who first suggested he become a pastor. "I didn't have near the accolades that man had, but he believed in me, and when he believed in something, it happened," said Drinkwater. "If he put his shoulder to the wheel it moved, and he did that for me." One of Monroe's biggest strengths as a pastor was his ability to translate his passion for his God into digestible sermons that people from all different backgrounds could understand, said Drinkwater. He described Monroe as an accessible preacher who would "champion the lord in language that was understandable by the layperson." Monroe served for years as a pastor at St. Margaret Anglican Church in Conway, New Hampshire. He started a parish at St. Augustine of Canterbury Anglican Church in Old Orchard Beach. When he began spending time in South Carolina, he also served as a pastor at St. Timothy's Anglican Catholic Church in Charleston, according to Drinkwater. Last June, Drinkwater and Monroe went together to the Blessing of the Fleet, where religious leaders in Portland bless boats big and small to kick off the summer season. Drinkwater remembers it was an overcast, windy day in Portland, and as he lifted the reeds from the water, droplets were blowing back in his face, soaking his glasses and clothes by the end of the event. "Well there, you ought to be holy enough now," he remembers Monroe joking. After the event, Drinkwater said, Monroe bought him a pint. Copy the Story Link
USA Today
01-05-2025
- USA Today
Bow, stern and gangway: Do you know your cruise ship terms? Test your knowledge
Bow, stern and gangway: Do you know your cruise ship terms? Test your knowledge Show Caption Hide Caption How to find the best price, perks when booking a cruise Find the cruise that works for your budget with these tips. Problem Solved For first-timers, cruise ship terminology can seem like its own language. From direction to parts of the ship, crew members use maritime terminology onboard that travelers won't necessarily during land based vacations. Those are part of the 'mariner's standard vocabulary,' according to Walt Nadolny, professor emeritus of marine transportation and global business at the State University of New York Maritime College, and a former environmental officer for Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line. 'I've worked on everything from oil tankers to cruise ships to roll-on, roll-off container ships … you name it, I've probably sailed on it, and the terms are pretty much universal,' he told USA TODAY. 'Some of those terms date back hundreds if not thousands of years. It's a vocabulary that is unique to the maritime industry and still is in use.' Whether you've got many nights at sea under your belt or have not yet set sail, we've rounded up some common cruise lingo so you can test your knowledge. Try to match the words to the definitions below. Cruise terms Starboard Stern Bridge Port side Gangway Tender Bow Keel Definitions A. A small boat for traveling to and from shore while the ship is anchored B. The front of the ship C. The ship's right side when facing forward D. The ship's left side when facing forward E. The back of the ship F. The walkway used to get on and off the ship G. The center structural piece at the bottom of the ship H. The control center from which the captain and other crew navigate Answers at the bottom. Why do cruise lines use those terms? The terminology serves a practical purpose, according to Nadolny. 'The working language globally for marine transportation is English,' he said. The majority of seagoing crew need a command of 'nautical English' so they can communicate with one another. he added. Crews working for cruise line members of Cruise Lines International Association – the industry's leading trade organization – are comprised of more than 75 nationalities, according to its website. Seaspeak, a method of communication developed by linguists and shipping experts, became the official language of the seas in 1988, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. 'English was chosen as the principle lexicon for Seaspeak because it was the most common language spoken on ships at that time, and, importantly, it was also the language of civil aviation,' the agency's website reads. Answers 1 = C 2 = E 3 = H 4 = D 5 = F 6 = A 7 = B 8 = G Results 0-2: You should try a short sailing to get your sea legs 3-5: You might be ready for a world cruise 6-8: You're an experienced sailor looking for unique experiences Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at ndiller@
