| Gone From My Sight I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean.. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says, "There, she is gone" Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me...not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" Henry Van Dyke |
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| The Memorial and Celebration of the Life of George H. Tulloch, February 7, 2004 St. Michael's Church, Greenwich, Connecticut 10 a.m. Order of Service |
| Opening prelude- J.S. Bach Sheep May Safely Graze and Bist du bei mir The ringing of the mariner's eight bells Opening Hymn Be Not Afraid First Reading from the Book of Wisdom , Jean Tulloch "The just man shall be at rest" Musical selection, piano and soloist "You've got a friend" Second Reading from the Book of Romans, Tim Tulloch " No one lives for oneself-no one dies for oneself" Musical selection, piano and soloist, "My heart will go on" Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke- (The story of Jesus commanding the fishermen to cast nets in deep water, and to become "fishers of men") Homily by The Rev. Michael Moynihan, former Navy Chaplain and Chaplain of the Maritime College, and St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church at Greenwich. The Eulogies: Don Tulloch, Tim and Matt Tulloch (reading of Gone From My Sight) , Al Briggs (brother-in law), Alan Carlin, Charles Haas. Musical selection , soloist and piano, Eternal Father Strong to Save The Commendation of the Soul of the Departed, and closing remarks- Fr. Moynihan Closing Hymn Amazing Grace Interment at St. Mary's Cemetery, Greenwich |
| Father Moynihan, in his moving homily, began by drawing reference from the lesson of Titanic- the terrible price paid when not enough attention was paid to detail. Speaking of George's five expeditions to the ship, he remarked on the care, patience and dedication to detail which was George's signature in all of his undertakings in Life. "Take something from his spirit of adventure-pay attention to detail. George worked the gifts and talents God gave him- never putting things before people." Recalling an ancient sign posted at the Rock of Gibralter which said "Non plus ultra" - "nothing further beyond", after 1492 and Columbus' discovery, this was changed to "Plus ultra"- "There is more beyond"-expanding the scope and horizon of further frontiers beyond the known world of the times. "George was not daunted by big things and great tasks, and lowered the nets, trusting there is another life beyond this which we know. God was in the back of the picture all the time- his was a life of Plus ultra." "George brought out the best in others, and remembered not only the big important things but also the small things. In his last days he suffered well- with courage and patience, turning from concern for self to concern for others. " Brother Don Tulloch recalled the incident of the submarine Thresher disaster when he was a submariner, and George's concern for the crew and families, questioning how his brother could do the work of a submariner under such conditions; with the response that he had faith in the Captain of the boat. . Later, when the question was reversed about his Titanic dives years later, George replied, "I am diving with my friend, Captain P.H. Nargeolet-and I have faith in his ability to focus on the task at hand." Continuing the theme of "caring, sharing and love" - "George had a huge heart and loved the good in all people. He is on another journey and would want us to stow in our lockers all the love he left behind." |
| Sons Tim and Matt conveyed the desire to give respect for the departed, and praise for their father and the life example he set of the importance and value of always showing love for friends and family. Knowing the serious nature of his final illness, he was given the opportunity to see both sons married, to do things which were meaningful and some that were just fun, such as seeing Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones in concert once more. And finally, knowing that those who trust in God "don't leave home- they go home." |
| Brother-in-law, Al Briggs observed , "Simply put, George was a gift. God trusted George- and George delighted Him." His gentle grace and disarming charm were gifts used with great effect and good humor in so many encounters with people all over the world. "George listened to God's challenges, and took up his charges as father, brother, husband, friend." |
| Long-time family friend and legal counsel, Alan Carlin spoke with great tenderness of the friendship between Capt. Nargeolet and George over the many years of triumphs and disappointments, as well as citing with light-hearted humor, many little-known anecdotes, such as George's desire for the little yellow submarine, Nautile, to always look shipshape- going out on the fantail late at night with a can of polishing wax, buffer and a tape deck playing old Chuck Berry tunes. |
| Expedition partner, and long-time friend, Charles Haas remarked, " Teamwork was the essence of every success-perserverence in pursuit of a dream transformed dry history by bringing the artifacts to the world. He taught us all lessons about love." |
| A collation and reception followed the service at Indian Habor Yacht Club, Greenwich. A powerpoint slide presentation of people and places in George's life ran continuously as well as a selection of treasured family photographs on display. Roses from floral tributes were taken at the end of the day by trustees of Titanic International Society to the graves of Titanic passengers, Mrs. Moore, Mrs. Graham, Mrs. Swift, and Mrs. Rene Harris. Tonight, under a full moon, red roses and white lilies mark the final resting place of a very remarkable and extraordinary man, who humbly went through life thinking himself just ordinary. Final words engraved upon the repository containing his mortal remains: "May your dreams and memories follow you to heaven" |
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