Obituaries 7-7-16

Benjamin Francis Moore
Captain Ben Moore died on June 26, after battling many illnesses. His beloved wife and extended family were at his side. Born in 1930 in Los Bano to William and Annette Moore, he spent his childhood in the San Joaquin Valley and Santa Cruz, where he felt a kindred spirit with John Steinbeck that inspired his sense of adventure and travel.
He joined the Army at age 17 and served from 1947 to 1953. He was a member of the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC before joining the 187th Airborne in Japan and Korea.
It was while living in San Francisco that the constant call of the fog horns and ships sailing under the Golden Gate Bridge beckoned him to the sea. In 1954 he began a lifelong career as a merchant seaman, working his way from able-bodied seaman up the ladder to become captain of the T.T. Williamsburgh, the largest oil tanker under the U.S. flag at that time. It was also during those years that Ben took his love for adventure and sailing to the South Pacific Islands on his 37-foot schooner.
He continued to sail as a Master Mariner for 20 years. He was an excellent ships’ handler and had a wonderful way with those who sailed with him. He always said he loved his job and couldn’t believe he was paid to do it.  
Ben felt each voyage was more exciting than the next … and he had the stories and collected treasures to prove it. He could spin a good sea tale like no other … much like his dear friend and brother, Bill. Ben had a mischievous and delightful sense of humor that made others share in his laughter.  
It was through one of his shipmates that Ben brought home something better than a good story – his “precious” wife MaryPat. Ben brought his new wife around the world with him on many of his voyages. When they were “on the beach” they were always on the move. Their love of travel continued by way of cross-country motorhoming, motorcycle rides on Sonoma County backroads and numerous trips up and down the California coast. They finally settled in Healdsburg to enjoy their days and adventures together. Ben’s handlebar moustache and Hawaiian shirts became his trademark attire.
Ben leaves behind many cherished family members and friends on both coasts.  He loved and boasted about everyone as he learned of all their accomplishments, and his family equally adored and admired him. Ben was truly one-of-a-kind and he will be missed by all.
The family plans no memorial service at this time. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Healdsburg Animal Shelter, since Ben was an avid animal lover.