Kaye Williams, the visionary who turned a city-run dump of a boatyard into Captain’s Cove Seaport, one of the region’s premier tourist draws, featuring Black Rock Harbor, weekend parties, boardwalk, slips for boats from fishing skiffs to sailing yachts, was honored with a christening ceremony of the R/V Kaye Williams, a research vessel that will be utilized by students at the Aquaculture School to learn about aquatic life with classes on the water.
The 94-year-old Williams was joined by city officials, friends and family at The Cove on Wednesday.
By the way, if you’re at The Cove on Saturday from 4 to 8 p.m. check out this cool troupe of musical scribes.
What follows is a Q&A with Kaye from 2021:
Q. What is your first memory of Bridgeport?
A. My first memory is getting the “bean box” delivered to our house on Denver Avenue during the depression. The “bean box” was a surplus WWI rifle box full of food given to poor families during that time. The box contained beans and heavily salted ham (which had to be boiled over and over to get rid of the salt). It also contained dates which I had to eat but didn’t like. I hate dates until this time!
Q. What are your ties to Bridgeport?
A. I was born in the attic of my grandmother’s house on Denver Avenue in the West End during a snow storm. I grew up there and in a small cottage on Fayerweather island. I started a marine store business in Black Rock in the 1950s then went into commercial lobstering. In 1981, I founded Captain’s Cove Seaport with my late wife Vivian. One of our proudest achievements is our involvement with the “Swim Across the Sound.”
Q. What do you like best about Bridgeport?
A. Its people!
Q. What is your favorite spot in Bridgeport?
A. My favorite spot was always Pleasure Beach. I used to go dancing there at the Ballroom. About 1946, the famous swimmer Buster Crabbe held auditions at Pleasure Beach for his traveling show. I was a good swimmer at the time and was selected to be part of his troupe. Unfortunately for me my father John had other ideas. The morning I was about to leave with Crabbe, John dragged me out of bed and took me ironworking with him. That was the end of my swimming career!
Q. What is your favorite eatery in Bridgeport?
A. My favorite eatery when I was growing up was Central Lunch on Fairfield Avenue in the West End.
Q. Where do you see the city going?
A. I think the city is going in a good direction with all the development in Bridgeport Harbor. Our waterfront is our strength.
Q. If you had a magic wand and could make a miracle happen for the city, what would it be?
A. I would bring back jobs to the city. When I grew up there were tens of thousands of craftsmen, mechanics, tool and die makers and so on working in the city. It was so busy round the clock. I’d like to see that again!
Kaye Williams has led an interesting Bridgeport-grounded life. Salt water of Long Island Sound runs in his veins and has provided inspiration for reclamation of a “sad sight site” as Lennie records, now a”tourist draw” like few others in the City, and provides a variety of services. Kaye and his family are good neigbors to all. I am pleased at the naming of a research vessel for the Aquaculture School next door to the Cove, and emblematic of the Williams family dedication to education, healthy living, and caring for the environment. Salute from a neighbor and occasional customer!! You continue as a role model for long term vision, patience, and determination, proving that time does tell.