Welcome Aboard

We hope this site will bring together former crew members from the Canopus years and rekindle long lost friendships.

Dear Members,

     I would like to take this opportunity to introduce the new board of directors of the USS Canopus Association. My name is Edward Pado, a proud plank owner of the USS Canopus, serving onboard from 1965 to 1968, as a SF2 in the sheet metal shop, R-1 Division. I am retired from a municipal Fire Dept. in Rhode Island, and cannot think of any better effort to donate my spare time.
  Back in September 2000 in Norfolk, I attended the second annual reunion of the Canopus with two fellow plank owners, Michael Gordon RM3 of the print shop, (yes "print shop"). Mike loves to tell the story of how then Captain Barrett, (the first CO), helped him, a printer, move from the Radio Shack to the print shop. Richard Retin PH2 of the photo lab also accompanied us, from far away San Francisco. Rick was the one of the ships first photographers, and brought tons of pictures for all to view. He will be a major asset to the association, with his huge archive of photos and expertise. We all have remained friends and in touch through out the years. We had the most wonderful time at the meeting, far beyond what we were expecting. Please take some time to view Rick's photos from the reunion and the "early years." They are linked on the home page.
     The opportunity presented itself at the meeting for the three of us to offer our services for existing vacancies within the association leadership. Together with Joe Williams YN2, also of the original crew, we became Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer respectably. Joe's willingness to serve as treasurer is most helpful at this stage of the association. We all look forward with enthusiasm to continuing the fine work begun by the founders of the association, Ron Slank, Chuck Zito, Lee Barrett, Bob Wilson and Doug Skinner . Bob and Dough most graciously have offered to remain onboard as historian and supply officer. It is because of the efforts of these good people, that the association exists today.
      My son Matthew, a web site developer, has "volunteered " his time to get the web site up and running, doing a great job in the design and development work. Thank you Matthew. Mike Gordon, will print the Newsletter for us at his print shop. Mike has been seriously ill recently, and we all wish him a speedy recovery. As of this writing, Mike has returned home and will spend some time in recuperation. (a good time to work on the newsletter, Mike)
      In closing, let us thank Admiral Barrett for the most kind letter he sent to the association, in lieu of attending the reunion because of health reasons. It was read to all by Ron Slank at the meeting. As the Admiral stated in his letter the USS Canopus was like a new baby to him and the reward he found readying her for service. Well, in a much smaller way, we also look forward to readying the association for service, to all who served on the USS Canopus.

Sincerely,
Edward Pado
USS Canopus Association