It’s Memorial Day and the Buzz is back. Summer is back too - at least it felt that way for a couple of glorious days last week. As my dad would say, the weather was an 11. Though it didn’t last long, it gave us a reminder as to what’s to come.

The speed bumps are in place and the moorings are slowly filling up with their dance partners, so you know the masses are soon to follow.

The Munnells once again have bragging rights for getting their boat in the water first, but this year Pamela proudly sits, named in memory of Chris and Brittany’s mom and Hamilton’s wife.

Chris sent the following to me at the end of last season: It was a picture-perfect October day, the kind that reminds us why we love Bayville. Frances was one of the last boats still in the water, making one final family voyage before the season wrapped up. The crew soaked up every bit of sunshine and sea breeze as we said good-bye to another great summer on the bay. But as Frances heads out, a new chapter begins as Pamela is coming in. Not just a new name, but a brand-new boat ready to carry on the tradition. Bayville’s waters may be cooling down, but next season is already heating up.

There is sad news to report as Bayville lost two longtime members of our community who will be missed by all who knew them here - and that’s pretty much everyone. Barry Gilchrist and Robert Blakesley. Barry served on the BVC for a number of years and was instrumental in the construction of our tennis court. There is no way Barry could have foreseen pickleball and its popularity, but the court certainly gets a lot of usage that way too. Barry was the father of the aforementioned Pam as well as Barrett, who both tragically passed in their early 60s.

Soon after Roberts passing in an October, his wife, Alina, shared the following: Robert loved Bayville, and up until last fall he took his daily walk with his walking sticks down to the dock, where he’d sit on the bench and enjoy the view of Linekin Bay. The downhill walk was easy, but the uphill climb required a few pauses — first on the Rose cottage stairs, then leaning against the wall of Karen’s garden, next resting on the benches by the post office, and finally making his way up to the house.

He lived a full and happy life. Even on his last day, he was smiling and appreciative of my care. That afternoon, I wheeled him out to the porch so we could have lunch in the sunshine. In the evening, we sipped eggnog with spiced rum and watched a Netflix movie together. The next morning, after enjoying his favorite breakfast of all oatmeal with blueberries and an English muffin with jam, he passed away peacefully.

I am deeply grateful to the Hospice team of nurses, CNAs, and the social worker who guided me through this process.

There will be a celebration of Robert’s life in the summertime and all are welcome. As he wished, his ashes will be scattered in Linekin Bay, where his father’s ashes were also laid to rest. I will take some to the Isle of Iona in Scotland, a place that was special to him, and his son Steven will take some to Mount Hood in Oregon.

Alton Richardson, a true friend of the Bayville community, lost his wife Linda in April. Alton has done so much to keep Bayville - and many of our houses - looking good.

Let’s honor their passing by enjoying all the wonderful things life has to offer.

thejeffallison@gmail.com