McKay brought love
of sea to life

Mention Gardner McKay's name in Hawaii and the first thing that comes to mind is the "Adventures in Paradise" television show, which ran from 1959 to 1962, or perhaps his Hawaii Public Radio "Stories on the Wind" weekly program, the past six years. But there was much more to McKay, 69, who died Wednesday of prostate cancer at his Koko Head home.

McKay loved the sea. He was an experienced skipper and was sailing his boat near Nantucket where the Andrea Doria sank after a collision with the Stockholm in 1956. His lifeboat rescue photos were sped and published internationally. McKay also sailed across the Pacific and the Atlantic.

McKay has written novels, plays and poems. He was also a drama critic for the L.A. Examiner, 1977-'82.

Hawaii was home for McKay and his wife, Madeleine. He doted on his granddaughter, Cheyenne Petree.

Longtime family friend Robyn Schaefer said, "He was one of he most interesting and intelligent people I have ever known. He was a true inspiration and he will be missed."

Ben Wood

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