Don Haviland

We lost Don Haviland in January, after a two year battle with cancer. Don was an active member of our sailing community over the past decade, racing, cruising, working for PTSA and the Moorage Tenant’s Union. It was common to see Don and wife Karen Lee out in the bay on their Rhodes-designed sloop, CUBANA.

Don was treasurer of the original PTSA board and contributed a lot to its formation and function. He took the job very seriously and kept us “in the black” and up to date. He helped with the other records, the race courses and buoy placement as well. He loved wooden boats and wanted to see more of them on the bay.

Sailing since he was a child, Don raced his Blanchard out of Leschi on Lake Washington in the 80’s and 90’s and participated in several Swiftsure races – skippering his own boat or crewing for others. His stewardship and restoration of CUBANA underlined his care and concern for the continuing well-being of the wooden boats he loved.

A professional skier as well as avid sailor, he often said that a perfect day means skiing in the morning and sailing through the afternoon. A mid-summer gathering of family and friends will celebrate his life and legacy.

The family asks that memorial donations be sent to the PT High School sailing team. You can send a check to the Maritime Center and enter PTHSST in the memo field. Maritime Center address is 431 Water St, Port Townsend, WA 98368.

We will miss seeing you out there, Don!