A Salute to Ned

Fortunately for Duxbury and the surrounding South Shore communities, Ned Lawson believed that “there is nothing, absolutely nothing, half as worth doing as simply messing about in boats.” It was this belief that led Ned to leave a law career to take over the helm of Duxbury Bay Maritime School. Ned retired this past December after a nine year stint as the school’s Executive Director. As noted in the Duxbury Clipper upon Ned’s retirement, he has made Duxbury a “better place.” History will note that under Ned’s leadership one of the greatest community maritime programs in the country was born. Sailing, rowing, ecology, outreach programs for inner city kids and physically and cognitively challenged children and adults are just a few of the programs presently being offered at DBMS.

Yes, Ned spent some of the past nine years “messing about in boats,” but where he truly left his mark is on the minds and hearts of the young people whom he has guided and inspired. Ned believes that the sea holds life-long lessons for the young and the young at heart. Through his leadership, foresight and inspiration, Duxbury Bay has become accessible to people of all ages, abilities and means, and DBMS has launched a number of great rowers and sailors over the past decade. In fact, thanks in large part to Ned’s tenacity, passion and dedication, DBMS has touched the lives and hearts of over 10,000 students to date - and that number keeps growing.

Good luck to Ned in his retirement, and to Chuck Leonard, his replacement, we leave this thought: “Ned’s eyebrows will be tough to fill.”

Archived News

Join our e-mailing list!