Today, somewhere on the Mexican Gulf, the ashes of my fathers' uncle, Ragnar Nilson, are being scattered, with the help of the American Coast Guard.
Ragnar was born in 1922, as my grandfathers' younger brother. The family's circumstances weren't very opulent, to put it mildly, and at 17, he joined the Norwegian merchant fleet, for the grand salary of $10 per month and all he could eat... A year later, as Germany had occupied Norway, he joined the American Merchant Marine. During the war, he crossed the Atlantic unscathed 14 times... On a winter trip to Murmansk, Russia, his ship was torpedoed and sunk outside the coast of Norway - the closest he'd been to his homeland since 1939 - and he thought he was going to die there. He was rescued though, and helped rescue the rest of the survivors from the icy water.
I believe he also participated in the battle of the Pacific - in what capacity, I don't know. This was something he never talked much about.
After the war, he served on military transports between the US and Germany. Later, he captained a fishing schooner, and in 1955, started his own tug boat and dredging business, operating, I believe, from New York Harbor. In 1985, he and his wife Joy retired to Florida, but he was an active mariner up until about 6 years ago, helping to deliver all sorts of boats to a variety of places in the US, and as far as the Middle East.
I first met him in 1970, when he and his wife came to Norway together. I don't remember much of that, but in 1975, it was decided that I should go and spend the summer in the US. I was 11, and I travelled alone to JFK. Ragnar and Joy met me there, we spent the night in their NY appartment, and Joy and I went off to their house on Cape Cod. I spent 5 or 6 weeks with them. I learned to speak English, since I spent most of my time with Joy, and Uncle Ragnar came to visit whenever he could. A wonderful summer, for which I'll be eternally grateful to them both.
My grandfather and his wife visited on several occasions too, as did his younger brother and his wife. Even his mother, my great grandmother, went over to visit - a momentous occasion for her...
With the avent of email, he had increasing contact with his Norwegian family. A few years ago, his wife Joy died after a long illness, and though he grieved for her, he kept the ability to enjoy himself and life. He played in a band (Started at 82!!!), and he had a new girlfriend. 2 years ago, he came to visit us here. He stayed with my uncle, and got to see all the old familiar places, even met a couple of oldies who remembered him. He went on boat trips, to family dos, and even had occasion to visit both his brother in Finland and my father in France. I think he had a grand time, and loved seeing us all, as we enjoyed seeing him. What struck me about him was that even though he was past 83, he was so young at heart, and could see no reason to stop enjoying himself for as long as he was able to.
He died in Florida after having been ill for a year or so, on the day before Christmas last.
There will be a burial at sea ceremony today, and his ashes will be scattered on the Gulf of Mexico, joining the ashes of his wife. My uncle and aunt will be present, keeping the Norwegian connection up until the very end.
I will raise a large glass of Cognac to him this evening - I think he would have liked that.
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