In Memory of
Capt. Warren F. Fuller
March 1, 1919 - January 26, 2015
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Pennant No. 9857
Member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 for 54 years
Initiated March 1, 1960
Recipient of Lewis Ludington Award - 2012
Capt. Warren F. Fuller
March 1, 1919 - January 26, 2015
x
Pennant No. 9857
Member of Detroit Lodge No. 7 for 54 years
Initiated March 1, 1960
Recipient of Lewis Ludington Award - 2012
Lodge member Warren
Fuller passed away on Monday, January 26, 2015 at the
age of 95.
Warren was born on March, 1, 1919 in Jeddo, Michigan, the son of Floyd and Estella Fuller. Raised on a farm, in later years he also worked as a draftsman and tool-and-die maker.
In 1964, Warren sold Fuller Marine to one of his employees, Bill Hoey, who then founded Gaelic Tugboat Company.
One notable event of Frank's career occurred on the evening of July 30, 1962 while he was captain of the tug B.H. Becker. While downbound near the Ambassador Bridge pushing the barge ABL-502 loaded with cement clinker, the tow collided with the British-flag Montrose which had just departed Detroit Harbor Terminals. There was no loss of life, however the Montrose sank and remained partially submerged until removed by salvage crews 101 days later. The U.S. Coast Guard later cleared Captain Fuller of any wrongdoing in the incident. The Detroit News reported that the Montrose was the first British ship to be sunk in American waters since the war of 1812.
Warren joined Detroit Lodge No. 7 on March 1, 1960 and remained a loyal member of the lodge for over 54 years. He enjoyed receiving mail from the lodge and all the issues of ISMALetter. He was especially honored to receive the Capt. Lewis
Ludington Award in 2012.
Warren and his wife Anita loved to travel. Before and after retirement, they packed a camper, fifth-wheeler or motor home and just took off, visiting all 50 states, including three trips on the Alcan Highway to Alaska. They were "snowbirds" who retired permanently to Tucson in 1990.
Warren was preceded in death by his wife Anita, who died in 2008. He is survived by 7 children, 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to the family c/o his daughter, Diana Gertz, 2240 S. Double O Place, Tucson, AZ 85713.
The newspaper obituary and on-line guest book can be viewed by clicking HERE.
Warren was born on March, 1, 1919 in Jeddo, Michigan, the son of Floyd and Estella Fuller. Raised on a farm, in later years he also worked as a draftsman and tool-and-die maker.
Warren began his sailing career with the
Wyandotte Transportation Company. According to
the May 1941 issue of the Lake Carriers Bulletin, he
received his original navigation license in early
1941 at the LCA Winter Navigation
School. He then served as deck officer
for the Wyandotte Transportation Company aboard the
Steamers Conneaut and Wyandotte.
After a few years, he left Wyandotte Transportation
and began working for Frank Becker Towing aboard the
tug B.H. Becker, which was on a steady run
hauling cement clinker from Port Huron to Detroit.
Later, he and his wife Anita founded the
Fuller Marine Towing Company. One of his tugs,
the Bonanka, was named after his three
daughters, Bonnie, Nancy and Kathy. Bonanka
was the former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tug Quintus,
which Warren sold to Keith Malcolm after several
years of ownership.
In 1964, Warren sold Fuller Marine to one of his employees, Bill Hoey, who then founded Gaelic Tugboat Company.
One notable event of Frank's career occurred on the evening of July 30, 1962 while he was captain of the tug B.H. Becker. While downbound near the Ambassador Bridge pushing the barge ABL-502 loaded with cement clinker, the tow collided with the British-flag Montrose which had just departed Detroit Harbor Terminals. There was no loss of life, however the Montrose sank and remained partially submerged until removed by salvage crews 101 days later. The U.S. Coast Guard later cleared Captain Fuller of any wrongdoing in the incident. The Detroit News reported that the Montrose was the first British ship to be sunk in American waters since the war of 1812.
Warren joined Detroit Lodge No. 7 on March 1, 1960 and remained a loyal member of the lodge for over 54 years. He enjoyed receiving mail from the lodge and all the issues of ISMALetter. He was especially honored to receive the Capt. Lewis
Ludington Award in 2012.
Warren and his wife Anita loved to travel. Before and after retirement, they packed a camper, fifth-wheeler or motor home and just took off, visiting all 50 states, including three trips on the Alcan Highway to Alaska. They were "snowbirds" who retired permanently to Tucson in 1990.
Warren was preceded in death by his wife Anita, who died in 2008. He is survived by 7 children, 13 grandchildren and 22 great-grandchildren.
Condolences may be sent to the family c/o his daughter, Diana Gertz, 2240 S. Double O Place, Tucson, AZ 85713.
The newspaper obituary and on-line guest book can be viewed by clicking HERE.
Past Grand President Bill Hoey
(Left) and Warren Fuller in the summer of 2009
Tug Bonanka (ex-Army Corps of Engineers tug Quintus) in 1961
Tug Bonanka (ex-Army Corps of Engineers tug Quintus) in 1961
- Thanks to Dr. Russ Plumb
for compiling the above information
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