Randall Michael Sherman

Born August 27, 1945, Randy died at home in Mahone Bay on June 19. Survived by his wife Susan Brown; his son Ian, grandsons Henry and James and their mother Allison; stepdaughter Anna Eidt, grandson Lou and his dad Ben Hatcher; stepson Tom Eidt and his wife Dijana MacMillan, and his siblings Heather, Cheryl, Tom (Sarah), Lynne, and Jan. He was predeceased by his parents Willard and Marjorie, and his sister Sandra. Randy was born in Digby and grew up in Little River on Digby Neck, and had travelled the world over before he actually drove out to Brier Island. “I didn’t have a car.” He did have a dory, and going on a date often meant taking his girlfriend for a row. As a teenager, he spent nights unloading fish from his uncles’ boats with his cousin Dennis, and after a few hours of sleep, his mum would pass him a sandwich as he ran for the school bus. He finished high school with a full scholarship to McGill to study architecture, and there were more people in his dorm than in the village where he grew up. He also spent a year at Acadia, but he decided he was more interested in seeing the world from the deck of a ship. He worked his way up from able seaman, eventually becoming captain, and attaining the designation Master Mariner. He was the Halifax harbourmaster for many years, and was instrumental in making Tall Ships 2000 such a success. He lost 10 pounds that week. In 2005, he convinced his non-sailor wife to head south with him on Nancy Dawson, their Cheoy Lee Clipper 42, and they travelled the Caribbean for the next six years, having adventures and making lasting friendships. His most rewarding work at sea was with the Sea Education Association aboard the R/V Westward, a 125’ schooner conducting oceanographic and sail training with university students. He was both chief mate and instructor, and his greatest satisfaction was watching the students gain confidence and skill over the course of the voyage. Randy made it around the world twice, and his time on Westward and the research vessels Robert Conrad and Vema figured large in so many stories. He was an excellent teacher, seaman, and navigator, and particular about doing things in a traditional way. He felt that there was nothing like the peace of being on the water, and that life was too short to sail an ugly boat. Randy built many beautiful small boats, but was proudest of Rozinante, a 28-foot Herreshoff design. More satisfying than all the bathroom and kitchen renos, and there were more than a few of those. So many examples of his craftsmanship are scattered around the world on boats and in the homes of friends and family. He loved music, but didn’t dance. He blamed that on the Baptist minister in Little River, who would rage from the pulpit when the teenagers in the village had a party (“The Devil was in the River last night!!”). He was a great cook, a skilled artist, a wonderful raconteur, a terrible punster, and when he was together with his family, they amused the hell out of each other. Years in the tropics ruined him for Canadian winters. He was personally offended by cold weather, and cranky with bad forecasting. He could keep time zones straight, deal with officials and forms in French and Spanish and navigate the complications of any port, in the anchorage or ashore. He was good at math, bad with money, but he got some great deals on boat parts. He figured out eBay, and once bought a crate of anchors at 2 am. Randy and Susan were able to navigate a challenging year and a half after his diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma with the support of family, the staff at the chemo clinic, the palliative care team, the VON, pharmacists, thoughtful friends and neighbours, and Helen Searle, who was always on call for us. Randy spent a lot of time on the water, but never learned to swim. His wish was to have his ashes scattered at sea, and when asked about finally going into the water, he said “This time, I won’t be afraid.” Family and friends are invited to a gathering at 92 Maple Street in Mahone Bay on July 20, from 2 to 5pm. We’ll raise a glass.

Randall Michael Sherman

July 27, 1945 - June 19, 2024