I’d like to sidetrack a little today, and instead of writing about who IS on the Island, I’d like to write about someone who WAS on the Island.   When this comes out, it’ll be a month since the funeral of a truly remarkable man, MacGregor Bulloch.   I’d known him for approximately 45 years, both as my boss when I was going to sea, and as a friend, before and after I retired.   A great leader, a wonderful family man, and a outstanding citizen. 

Mac was born in New York, New York on July 4^th, 1926.  What person born on Independence Day would not turn out to be an exceptional individual, and a great Patriot?  Mac lived up to those expectations.   He spent his early childhood in Long Beach, California before moving to New Orleans in 1943.  After graduating  from  Isidore Newman High School in 1944, he was accepted into the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York.  Upon graduation, he went to sea for two years with Delta Steamship Company as Third Officer.  Upon returning to New Orleans, he enrolled at Tulane University where he was a member of, and served as President of, Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity.  He received his BBA in 1951, and was called to active military duty where he served tours with the Navy in Inchon, Korea, as well as Yokosuka, Japan.  At the end of his tour of duty, he returned to New Orleans, and was employed by Lykes Brothers Steamship Company.  He stayed with them for the next 42 years, and retired in 1993 as Senior Vice President of Operations.  Lykes, at the height of their hay-day, owned and operated well over 100 cargo ships (freighters). I was on their largest breakbulk ship, largest in the world in its class, the S. S. Sue Lykes, that I was Master/Captain of for the last 10 years of my seagoing career.  It was at Lykes that Mac and I met, and it was there that we became lifelong friends.

Mac was also Chairman of the New Orleans Steamship Association from 1985 to 1989.  In 1982 he received the Outstanding Professional Achievement award from the United States Merchant Marine Academy.  He had been a member of the National Cargo Bureau for over 40 years serving in the capacity of Director in the late 1970’s.  He was a member of the Krewe of Bacchus Organization for over 30 years, and he loved Mardi Gras, rarely missing one of the parades. 

Mac made a lasting impression on everyone who met him .  His laughter, smile, booming voice and wonderful sense of humor will be missed by all.  He will always be remembered as a man that loved each and every member of his family, his extended family and this Country in which he lived, with such a ferocity and dedication, that it has been transferred to his loving family.  He had an incredible sense of pride in every one of his children, grandchildren and in the United States.

Mac built a home out on the Ft Morgan Peninsula at Cabana Beach in 1983, and after retiring, was there as much, or more, than he was in New Orleans.  He loved the beach and supported not only the Catholic church in Gulf Shores that he attended, but local businesses and restaurants.  He was active in the Cabana Beach Owner’s Association.  If you drove by his beach house you would first see a huge flag pole (erected with the help of a few of the Ft Morgan fire department volunteers) with an American Flag proudly on display.  He was defined by the traditions he kept, such as the many crab boils under the beach house, all the holidays with family at the beach, going out on his and one of his son’s boat (eventually donated to Gulf Shores Presbyterian Church fund), the traditional T shirts designed each year highlighting one of the grandchildren and many more things that taught each child the lessons of life and love. 

Mac will be deeply missed….How fortunate we are to be able to say that MacGregor Bulloch was ON THE ISLAND.