It was announced earlier today that the Queen Mary’s Commodore Everette Hoard passed away. He was 64 years old.
The Queen Mary posted on social media:
A message from Steve Caloca, Managing Director of the Queen Mary:
It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Commodore, Everette Hoard.
We will miss his kind heart, his passion, and his unwavering devotion. Commodore Everette Hoard is forever part of the Queen Mary’s story, and his legacy will continue to shine as brightly as the ship he so dearly loved.
Mentor and Friend
His passing hits me hard, as I know it will to everyone who knew him. I consider Everette a very dear friend, and he was my mentor when I worked as a tour guide on the Queen Mary. In fact, it was his many stories from the captains’ tables aboard Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 that inspired the name of this blog.
Always happy and willing to share his knowledge and passion, I learned so much from Everette. Anyone who met him can attest to that. He was a very special person indeed.
The Commodore
I remember in 2011 when he was named Commodore and how happy and excited he was. It was a dream come true. In his new role, Everette brought a certain spark and energy to the entire operation—I remember that quite vividly. As the Commodore, he became the face of the Queen Mary from that time forward. More than that, however, he was the heart and soul of the ship.
In January 2019, Everette officiated our wedding. He’d already played a big role in my life—this made him an even bigger one. I’ll never forget how, during the ceremony, he went off script and presented me with a gold Cunard lion pin that he put on my lapel. It was a truly special moment, and indicative of how kind and thoughtful he was.
A Life in Service of the Queen
Everette worked aboard the Queen Mary in one capacity or another for over 40 years. Whether it was working as a shopkeeper or strolling the decks as the Commodore, he loved his time aboard the ship. “Dreams come true,” he would often tell me. And he was right.
I’m going to miss Everette so much, but I’m glad that I had the privilege of knowing him. I’m also glad that he got to live his dream. He needed the Queen Mary, and the Queen Mary needed him.
Fair winds and following seas, my friend. See you on the other side.
The Queen Mary has set up a webpage where people can leave messages, share memories, and offer reflections to celebrate the Commodore’s life and provide comfort to his family and loved ones.
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