Captain Bruce M. McCluskey
Captain Bruce M. McCluskey, a 27 year veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, crossed over the bar on December 26, 2014. He passed peacefully at his home in St. James City, Florida. As a Master Chief Boatswains Mate in the Coast Guard he spent many years at Station Chatham, Massachusetts where he trained Coast Guard personnel in seamanship and small boat handling. On many occasions, he served as Officer in Charge of the station. His other duty locations include the Coast Guard Cutter Evergreen, Marine Safety Office Baltimore and Station Piney Point, MD. Besides his years with the Coast Guard, Captain McCluskey was a Captain of the Windjammer Cruise Ship Polynesia. He also served as Port Captain and taught seamanship and navigation at The Harry Lundeberg School of Seamanship in Piney Point, Maryland. The Captain spent a good many years working for Tidex International running tug boats and supply boats supporting the offshore oil and gas industry in the Black Sea, and also operated container ships in Italy, India, on the West Coast of Africa and in the Middle East. He spent 2 years through Tidex International working directly for the Sultan of Oman. Captain McCluskey was born in New Haven Connecticut on April 29, 1932 He is survived by his wife Marjorie VanderKruik; a daughter Jean Needle (Andrew); sons Ralph (Grace) and Roy. He also has granddaughters, Isabelle and Sarah Needle and a grandson, Samuel McCluskey. In addition he has stepsons, Dr. Clarence Heimann (Ann) and Charles Heimann. In lieu of flowers it is asked that a donation in his name be sent to The Calusa Land Trust; 2467 Sycamore Street; St. James City, FL 33956.