David Andre

David Andre'

David Andre'
623 Woodward Ave
Gulfport, MS 39501

Phone: 228-806-2444
E-mail: sailbeyond30n@yahoo.com

Occupation: Retired to historic preservation (my home)
Spouse: Katherine Marie Hursey Andre'
Children: 2
Grandchildren: 4

On July 18, 2008 David wrote:
Prior to Katrina, I ended my affiliation with the Mississippi Sound Historic Foundation and Museum (which I founded in 1996). Also the Community Sailtraining Program which I started as part of the Museum in 2003. Began work on renovations to 623 Woodward Avenue in July 2005 when I gave up on keeping the Museum and Sailtraining Program going since I did not raise enough funding for all the programs and neither did the Board.

After working two months on my new historic preservation project, Katrina came and added to my work list. I stayed in the house, but couldn't keep the 34" of water from entering and pretty much ruined all, but the house stayed on its foundation. Water in my yard was 6.5 feet deep! All cars and trucks (did you know they float?) flooded.

The good news. The 1950 garage apartment I help build when I was seven years old, did not flood so that became home. I have been working on the main house since, with occasional help from electricians, carpenters, a very talented boat builder who is completing kitchen furniture for Kay, and a ton of volunteers just after the storm. Hope to move in to have Thanksgiving dinner 2008. That's the target.

Any to you that read this, send in an update. I attended Becky Skelton Brooks' funeral today and saw a good group of our Class of 61 there. Send us an update, for while mundane as the above, it would be of interest to some.

God bless you all. David Andre'

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Previous Entry from 2001:
Attended Auburn University 1961-1965, made first transatlantic sailing trip in 1963. Worked as construction engineer in New Orleans, lived in the French Quarter. Joined Navy Reserve as Vietnam continued. After two years in USNR aboard CVA Shangri La (aircraft carrier in Med)(1967-1968) sailed for a year and 30.000 miles aboard the 12 metre "American Eagle" including two transatlantic trips. Then worked for Offshore Logistics(Olog) for 14 years in Malaysia, Singapore (travelled regularly to India, Burma, Thailand, Indonesia, Phillipines, Japan, Hong Kong and China). With sailing, Navy, and work have visited 53 countries, lived in three. After 2 years in Trinidad, returned to Lafayette, La. to corporate headquarters for Olog. As VP of Olog International, continued to travel Europe, Africa, S.America and SEAsia developing International Partnerships. Had Benjamin when I was 40 years old, Hunter when 42. They are 18 and 16 this summer. Worked for 15 years as an oil and gas acquisitions consultant, living in Lafayette. Met Kay ten years ago, married Kay five years ago, returning to Gulfport three years ago. In 1986 founded the Mississippi Sound Maritime Historical Foundation and have been President until this year(2001), assuming an Executive Directors role to administer grants received from the Ms. Tidelands Trust Fund to preserve the old Carnegie Library building 1300 24th Avenue, downtown Gulfport to house the Mississippi Sound Historical Museum & Community Sailtraining Center, design and build exhibits with grants received from the Ms. Dept. of Archives and History and the Ms. Senate, and seek capital funding for the ongoing development and operation of the Museum.

When I am not working on my very old house, or kinda old wooden boat, I still sail, mostly ocean races, fish in saltwater, flounder when I can stay awake long enough, and Kay and I collect antique furniture and local pottery. Kay's daughter's boys Connor(2) and Eric(4mo.) take up an increasing amount of our time (on weekends and holidays). Kay works as a dental hygienist and is the most dedicated grandmother one could find.

I am a member of the First Presbyterian Church - PCA, the Gulfport Yacht Club, the Poverty Point Yacht Club (Chaplain), the NRA, and am a Director of the Friends of the Gulf Island National Seashore.