Sea Leopard Main

2011-01-09T12:30:00.000-08:00

Another SubRon6 vessel has met its final demise. The USS Kittiwake, our Submarine Rescue Vessel was recently sunk off Seven Mile Beach in Grand Cayman to serve as an artificial reef. Here is an article that describes the event.

Kevin Corraza (QM3 67-71) to Eternal Patrol

2010-02-04T06:38:00.000-08:00

We received the following obituary via Jim Cunningham:

Corazza, Kevin V. Plymouth, MI
Age 61, passed away unexpectedly Thursday, January 28, 2010 in Baldwin, MI. He was born on August 26, 1948 in New Jersey, son of Victor and Elizabeth (Quinn) Corazza. Kevin was a Veteran of the U.S. Navy, serving during the Vietnam War. He also worked for the U.S. Government in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency for 30 years.

In 1972 Kevin became the devoted husband of Cecilia "CeCe" Ritter in Chelsea and she survives. Kevin loved woodworking, entertaining, and spending time with his family and friends. He was a loving father to Mary (Drayke) Dondero of Clark- ston, Margaret Corazza of Plymouth, Charles (Chelsey) Corazza of Hartland, and Daniel Kelly of Redford. Also surviving are one grandson, Leo A. Dondero; his siblings, Mary (George) Terry of NJ, Claire (Leni) Wade of DE, Jack (Linda) Corazza of NJ, Theresa (Hank) Sobolak of PA, Kathleen Corazza-Bahns of NJ, Donna Corazza of NJ, Richard (Sue) Corazza of NJ, Victor (Ruth) Corazza of NJ, Beth (Scott) Cumming of NJ, Louise (Patrick) Busby of VA, and David (Mary) Corazza of PA; and three sisters-in-law, Laurie Corazza of CA, Carol Corazza of NJ, and Margaret (Tom) Beller of Novi. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, William and Joseph Corazza.

Funeral mass will be held Monday, February 1, 2010 at 11 a.m. from St. Mary Catholic Church, Chelsea, with Rev. William J. Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the Staffan-Mitchell Funeral Home on Sunday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. with Rosary at 7:30 p.m. Expressions of sympathy can be made to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society or to St. Mary Catholic Church

Published in AnnArbor.com on January 30, 2010

His death resulted from a fall in his home. He was being visited by his friend Charlie Baize. Charlie told Jose Cabrera, who told Jim Cunningham.

We extend our most sincere sympathies to Kevin's wive, Cece and her children.

Northern Europe Cruise '67-'68

2010-01-20T09:53:00.000-08:00

Any shipmates who were onboard for the Northern Europe cruise in 67-68 might want to drop Mike Klein a line. He’s an RMCS (SS) RET who was on COMSUBRON SIXTEEN staff in Rota, Spain. The staff had been tasked to prepare to support an effort to locate the Sea Leopard when it was overdue in Cherbourg, France.

Mike’s writing a memoir for his grandkids and would like some detail on the incident from someone who was there. Contact me and I’ll give you his email address.

Bruce (B.O.) Anderson to Eternal Patrol

2010-01-20T07:58:00.000-08:00

We received the following obituary via Robby Roberts:

SubVets WWII member #13553

Bruce Oliver Anderson, 81, of Providence, RI, died December 17, 2009. He was a former boiler inspector for the Rhode Island Department of Labor before retiring in 1993 and a US Navy Submarine Radioman before retiring in 1965, He is the husband of Maree (Kinsey) Anderson. He was born January 15, 1928 in Williamsport, PA. He was a son of the late Bruce A. and the late Margaret (Jenkins) Anderson. He lived in Providence for the past 47 years. He was a member of the IBA, treasurer of Celestial Lodge #2 F&AM (PHA), Constantine Temple #14, US Submarine Veteran's WWII, US Submarine Veteran's Inc. Besides his wife he leaves a daughter Charel E. and son Bruce O. Anderson, 5 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild all of Philadelphia, PA. He is the brother of Helen Hudson of Williamsport, PA, Catherine Totton of Harrisburg, PA and the late Ronald Anderson and Patricia Whaley both of Williamsport, PA and David Anderson of Providence, RI.

We extend our deepest sympathies to his wife Maree. We have a number of pictures of him at various reunions.

Looking for Information about John Annarino

2010-01-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

We received an email from yankeefan1a@netscape.net (Not sure who this is) noting an obituary in the Newark (Ohio) Advocate for John C. Annarino, who died on November 19, 2009. He says he served on the Sea Leopard. Our database has no entry for him. I'd appreciate any information from anybody who remembers him.

The Submarine Store is Dead - Long Live SubmarineGear.com!

2009-10-31T08:31:00.000-07:00

I just got the following email from Harry Lieberman of the former Submarine Store:

Hi Shipmate,

Noticed on your blog page that Phil posted that Submarine Store was gone (correct) but wanted to let your folks (and especially Phil) know that I'm still around in the same location, and now doing business at www.submarinegear.com - and thanks to Lisa for the phone call.

Would appreciate your posting this msg as a comment on your blog page.

Thanks and best regards,

Harry

So go on out to www.submarinegear.com and buy something!
br,
Phil

The Submarine Store is gone

2009-07-14T07:04:00.000-07:00

I was disappointed to see that SubmarineStore.com is out of business. I live about 2 miles from their storefront, and could ride there on my bike to check out their stuff and shoot the breeze with Harry Lieberman. John Stanford dealt with their other principal, Bodega Bob, to get stuff for our reunion in May.

I guess we'll have to find other sources for our submarine-related purchases.
Phil

2009-06-28T13:41:00.000-07:00

Charles Wert has contributed a stack of photos taken by his father, TMC Woodrow ("Woody") Wert between 1948 and 1951. There are some great shots of the boat, and of a couple of ship's parties. He also took some great historical shots of stops in Havana and in Italy. Great stuff!

Tench-class Sub Video

2009-05-07T09:56:00.000-07:00

Check out this video on YouTube. It shows some OLD views of other Tench-class boats, specifically the Irex (SS-482) and our sister boat Sirago (SS-485). Hmm.. Why aren't there any shots of the Sea Leopard?

Latest Signups

2009-03-31T09:36:00.000-07:00

Six more people will be attending:

Dan Burke (Frances) 64-66
Ron Hatley (James) 62-63
Ed Schuele (Etta) 46-48

Additional Signups

2009-03-15T15:02:00.000-07:00

As of March 14, 2009, the following additional shipmates have registered for the Reunion:

ART BJORKNER (NANCY) 68-70
JOSEPH BONDS (MARIAN) 56-58
JAMES KREYER 65-67
GEORGE LAEMONT (SHIRLEY LOUISE) 56-59
ROBERT MOORE (JEAN) 68-70
FRANK THOMPSON (MARIE) 53-54
BENJAMIN VESSELS 64-67
GEORGE WELLS (NELLIE LOU) 49-52

This brings the total number of people attending to 47.

Signups as of Feb 22

2009-02-22T08:45:00.000-08:00

Shipmates,
If you want to attend the 2009 Sea Leopard Veterans Association Reunion in Jacksonville, FL, it’s really getting to that time where you need to register. Here is the latest list ( 02/21/09 ) of who’s signed up:

SHIPMATES REGISTERED FOR 2009 REUNION
NAME AND GUEST DATES SERVED
JOHN STANFORD ( BARBARA ) 55--58
JACK ATKINSON ( FAY THOMSEN ) 44--49
STAN BARTHOLOMEW ( EVAMAE ) 70--72
ORRIS BROGAN ( AGNES ) 52--56
LONNIE FRIAR ( KATHRYN ) 63--67
JACK MESSERSMITH ( KATHLEEN ) 66--68
STEVE ROGERS ( JENNIFER ) 67--70
CHARLES ROBERTS ( JANET, MARSHA, KAREN) 52--60
KWOCK KAM ( SYBLE ) 53--54
JOHN WINTERS ( JANE ) 62--64
JOE GOMES 53--54
JAMES LATTERELL ( CELESTINE ) 64--68
DICK TEAS ( LENA ) 53--56
JERRY HOOPER ( DOROTHY ) 56--58
PHIL SOMERSET ( INA KOHLER ) 64--66
BENJAMIN VESSELS 64--67
DARRELL RAMSDEN ( CAROLYN ) 58--65

Welcome to the SS483 Blog!

2009-02-22T08:26:00.000-08:00

For the first time, you can participate in discussions about the Sea Leopard, the website, our reunions, your shipmates or any other (pertinent) subjects.

It'll take a little while for us to get used to this new capability. It probably won't be long before someone posts something they shouldn't, and I'll have to figure out how to handle that. So bear with us while we settle in.

Phil Somerset
Commander and Webmaster