[CINC] Passing of John Olguin

[Paul Jr. Petrich]

Dear CINC Volunteers, CINP and CINMS biologist and staff, A truly monumental pioneer in the environmental causes related to our oceans, and all creatures within it, has passed away. John Olguin, of San Pedro, California died on New Year's Day. He was 89 years of age. Attached is a link to is obituary, and information about the the Memorial to be held in his honor on January 22nd at San Pedro's Cabrillo Aquarium.http://www.cabrillomarineaquarium.org/events-news/news.asp John was the Chief Lifeguard at Cabrillo Beach when I was in high school in San Pedro in the late 1950s. His heritage goes back to pioneers to San Pedro from Mexico, and Gabrielino  Native American residing on Santa Catalina Island. Not mentioned in his obituary are his amazing adventures on the sea that he loved. John and his wife, Muriel, are legendary in San Pedro for their many rowing feats performed in a small 14 foot designer row boat. They were always a team. Rowing adventures included trips to Catalina Island seven times, rowing from Channel Island to Channel Island, rowing between islands in Fiji and in the Caribbean, as well as rowing all the way from Monterey to San Pedro ( in intervals, always returning to the boat where they left it ). John met Muriel when he was a Junior Lifeguard in San Pedro who volunteered to row YWCA young ladies to Angel's Gate Lighthouse at the entrance to Los Angeles Harbor from Cabrillo Beach. She always helped him row. John is renown by our local Island Packers and the Channel Islands National Park staff for his annual recreation of the explorer Carrillo's probable landing on San Miguel Island in 1542. He did this for 36 years straight!  On one of these re-enactments recently, Muriel and John treated a fortunate few of us in Skipper Anthony's wheel house, on the way back to Ventura Harbor, to a wonderful sketch of their life on the sea together. He was a true Master Mariner, as well as Care Taker of the Sea.  Paul Petrich 
  		 	   		  
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