Paul Caradec
A loyal and close friend of my family and an HYC icon, Mr. DeJon enriched my life in so many ways. He demonstrated so many important qualities, such as a great sense of humor (and being a good sport when the humor was directed towards himself); do whatever it takes to get the job done; trustworthiness; and thoughtfulness.
Sense of humor/being a good sport: At the crack of dawn one Sunday in my middle-school years, my HYC boadmember Dad (Andre'), Past Commodore (PC)/Mr. Lamkin, and my oldest brother Doug installed a toilet (discarded from the HYC locker room) on the judge's stand, along with a sign where it was written: "De Jon on De judges stand". This was in jest of our friend and PC/Mr. Dejon.
Do whatever it takes: When I was about 10 years old and participating in a gathering of friends and family in the HYC dining room celebrating my Grandmother Rose's birthday, HYC PC/Mr. DeJon discovered that the green beans were not prepared to his liking. Rather than burdening the HYC server with the responsibility of providing the Chef with a lengthy procedure on how to "properly prepare" green beans, Mr. DeJon left our dining table, walked into the kitchen, and cooked another batch of beans himself!
Trustworthiness: Occasionally, my Dad, along with friends (Hollys, Helms, Lamkins, Dejons, Cooledges, Talichets, and a list of others) would be locked in the HYC bar area late at night so that the staff could go home. Although they were not officially authorized by HYC to do so, the guys would mix their own cocktails and log the charges on their HYC bar tabs.
Thoughtfulness: Thanks to most wonderful daughter Patty taking the role of chauffeur and travel companion, Susan and I were blessed to see PC/Mr. Dejon at HYC fairly often in recent years. Always impressed us how he had the energy and love of life to journey to HYC to see friends and hang out. Each time, he would ask me how Rosebud (my Mom) and my two brothers (Doug and Jim) and were doing and what all were doing these days. Was so thoughtful he was concerned with their well being.
Foremost was his sharing a most important lesson (taken from his experience in the process of abandoning ship during WWII) that, as difficult as life may be at times, to never lose faith.
Trustworthiness: