Gerald Menees

"I must go down to the seas again, to the vagrant gypsy life,To the gull's way and the whale's way, where the wind's like a whetted knife;And all I ask is a merry yarn from a laughing fellow-rover,And quiet sleep and a sweet dream when the long trick's over."Gerald Edwin Menees, 83, of Port Orchard, Washington, died 2 March 2002 in Bremerton, Washington. He was born in Seattle, Washington, 27 August 1918, son of Harley Benjamin Menees and Hazel Josephine Duclos Menees. He married (1) Melba Marion Davis Wakefield, San Francisco, California, 30 October 1944, (2) Marjorie Dean Williams Calfee, Port Orchard, Washington, 19 April 1957.Gerald grew up on Vashon Island, served in the United States Merchant Marine, Army and Navy, receiving his Navy discharge in 1946 with the rank of Chief Machinist Mate. He served in WWII in the Pacific arena aboard PT 23 and was stationed on Guadalcanal. After the war he was an independent trucker hauling freight in eleven western states as well as trips to the DEW line on the Great Slave Lake, Canada. After selling his truck, he sailed aboard ships of the Coast and Geodetic Survey for a number of years. Following his final retirement, he repaired marine engines on request.Gerald is survived by his wife, Marjorie; four children, Timothy Ryan Menees, Philip Dean Menees, William Edwin Menees, and Mary Menees Gay; eleven grandchildren and five great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Melba, three children, Christine Louise, Michael James, and Gerald Dennis.At his request there will be no services. His ashes will be scattered at sea."Twilight and evening bell,And after that the dark!And may there be no sadness of farewell,When I embark."