World Aquaculture December 2020

WWW.WA S.ORG • WORLD AQUACULTURE • DECEMBER 2020 17 Creswe l l , continued from page 16 request while obviously forgetting about renewing his license. I presume that not many know that LeRoy was an accomplished musician, a drummer in a band, and always enjoyed talking with fellowmusicians. His musical talents came to my attention when we were at the 1996World Aquaculture Society annual meeting in Bangkok, Thailand. Past and present US members of the WAS leadership at that time were asked by the hosts to perform something that was representative of the US. LeRoy rose to the occasion and took out his harmonica and played the folkloric song, Oh Susannah, as we sang the lyrics. Our efforts were accompanied by gracious smiles and laughter. How are we to remember LeRoy within the array of communities in which he played such an integral part? By remembering his contributions as founded in his being a selfless, compassionate person, always thinking of and genuinely interested in others. It seemed that he innately knew that his role was to help enhance all of the unique and special gifts that he saw in people. As a result, where he saw the need, he unpretentiously gave. Invariably, mutual benefits were realized from this approach. All of his diverse roles were dedicated to enforcing the role of science in protecting all fisheries through wise use and management while expanding their role as a contributor to food security. LeRoy leaves his wife, Danita, and two daughters, Leala and Alonnah. With love of LeRoy the man and his personal effect on our lives, we move on, challenged and motivated by his legacy. To complement what I have written about LeRoy’s life, testimonials that I solicited from individuals who shared in different aspects of his career follow. — Lou D’Abramo, WAS Past-president (1992-1993), Mississippi State University (retired) LeRoy encouraged and inspired every person he met using his wisdom, smile, connections, and compassion. We met as queen conch aquaculture pioneers 40 years ago; LeRoy was a mentor, a friend and a colleague and we always shared a love for Caribbean aquaculture and communities. — Megan Davis, Florida Atlantic University LeRoy was a force of nature and one of my oldest and dearest friends - of about 40 years. He was passionate about his family, his four-legged adoptees, his friends, his science and his passion to share information. He was a regular source of down-home wisdom, shellfish biology, humor, joy and amusement. He was also a great confidante. His genuine enthusiasm for life and his willingness to give of his time and expertise will live on in all those he helped along the way. I talked to him just before his last surgery and he told me he had a great family, great friends and no regrets. I believe he was happy and content. LeRoy was a highpoint in my life and won’t be forgotten. — Sandra Shumway, University of Connecticut LeRoy Creswell was that vital repository of knowledge regarding the culture and utilization of marine shellfish in the Gulf and Caribbean. That pool of corporate knowledge that will be so greatly missed by so many. His vast technical knowledge, however, was in fact exceeded by his kindness, his willingness to serve and his enthusiasm for the science. We were fellowmusicians and could talk forever about our musical “careers” and experiences. —Chuck Adams, University of Florida (retired) LeRoy was one of those very special people who was liked by everyone, who treated others with respect and who was always there if you needed him, whether it was a 2 AMwater exchange, consulting on grow-out methods or leading field work in the Caribbean. I was LeRoy’s adviser at Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science for his Master’s degree, but in fact he was always a valued colleague, friend and advisor to me and many others through his work in aquaculture and the environment. His positive outlook on life remains a great model for us all and he is sorely missed. Godspeed, LeRoy! — Scott Siddall (retired) LeRoy served as the Executive Secretary and Senior Editor of the annual Gulf Caribbean Fisheries Institute Proceedings for the previous 18 years. He was an institutional pillar, not only through his official responsibilities, but also through the generosity and warmth he gave to all, especially to students and early-career professionals ready to become part of the GCFI family. In life, he was a charismatic presence, generous with his knowledge and wisdom and a clarion voice for marine aquaculture and sustainable resource management in the US and the Caribbean. His contributions to GCFI will remain with us forever. —Bob Glazer, Executive Director, Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute LeRoy, an inveterate invertebrate biologist and aquaculturist, was one of the founding fathers of shellfish aquaculture in Florida. Working with colleagues at Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institution in the 1980s, he developed alternative culture methods suitable for the state’s subtidal, subtropical conditions (soft bottom bags for clams and flexible belt for oysters), wrote practical manuals on these methods and introduced hundreds to the potential of shellfish farming. His pioneering efforts led to an industry valued today at $20 million and supports over 350 small farms. —Leslie Sturmer, University of Florida, IFAS Extension How are we to remember LeRoy within the array of communities in which he played such an integral part? By remembering his contributions as founded in his being a selfless, compassionate person, always thinking of and genuinely interested in others. It seemed that he innately knew that his role was to help enhance all of the unique and special gifts that he saw in people.