I met Steve when we were teenagers in Chatham. We shared many common interests, such as fishing, sailing, and driving my Jeep on North Beach. Steve had some crazy notions, such as waterskiing entirely around Monomoy Point without falling, and building a ski jump in front of their family home on Pleasant Bay and Round Cove. We actually even water skied in and out of Round Cove in front of Steve’s summer family home. Fewer boats then… and no water police.
The best Seymour family event was at Steve’s parents, Dan and Louise, annual clambake, which was held on their beach. Steve and I would spend days collecting driftwood for the fire, selecting special rocks to heat the clambake, and digging holes in the sand for the barrels. On clambake day, Willard Nickerson would arrive in his skiff from his fish market and pull up on the beach. His skiff was full of steamers, beautiful lobsters and very special seaweed for the “bake.” Steve would start the fire around sunrise, and the special stones were ready for the bake by early afternoon. Dan and Louise then entertained dozens of guests, all of whom had a great time digging through the delectable “treasures”. It was a feast like no other.
Like many summer boys growing up together, Steve and I lost touch over the years. Life gets in the way.
Then, two years ago, my wife Mary Ellen and I, spent a fabulous afternoon with Steve on his boat. We traveled across Nantucket Sound from Allen’s Harbor to Chatham Inlet in a strong Southwest wind with plenty of spray. It was like old times, fishing together and challenging the elements. It felt great to be together again.
After the boat ride, we joined Sharon at home, and finally had a chance to visit with a person we hardly knew. Sharon was so warm and gracious, we felt as if we had known her all our lives.
Steve is a very lucky guy! Fifty three years with such a fantastic lady!