It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved Commodore, Everette Hoard.

Commodore Everette was more than a crew member, he was the heart and soul of the Queen Mary. For over 40 years, he dedicated his life to honoring and preserving this historic ship, though his love for her began long before his first official day aboard. As he often recounted, he was a young child when his parents first brought him to see the Queen Mary, and from that moment on, he knew his heart belonged to her.

 

 

We invite you to share your messages, memories, and reflections below to celebrate his extraordinary life and offer comfort to his loved ones.

"There will no doubt be an outpouring of love and tributes for Commodore Everette Hoard in the days to come.

And believe every word of it, because when people speak highly of him, they’re not exaggerating. Everette was, without question, one of the kindest human beings this world has ever known. His love for The Queen Mary was unmatched, and I truly mean unmatched. He was the heartbeat of that ship. The ambassador she was blessed to have. The stories people will share about Everette will sound like we all knew him on some deep personal level. And that’s because we did. That’s who he was. The moment you met him, you had his undivided attention, his warmth, and his care. You became part of his circle instantly.

I have numerous holiday cards from him that I’ll always cherish. Plenty of pictures too, like the ones where I’d joke around with him. One of my favorites is of him throwing up a gangster rap sign with Will Kane. It still cracks me up every time I see it. But Everette was always a sport. The only thing I never got from him was a full recital of Hit 'Em Up by Tupac. That would’ve been the cherry on top. But even without that, we all carry enough stories and memories of him to last a lifetime, until we see him again.

Thank you, Everette, for being one of the kindest souls to ever walk this earth. We can only hope to care for the Grand Old Lady the way you did. And I’m sure wherever you are, you’re already up there, greeting everyone with that same grace and warmth that made stepping onto the Ship feel like coming home."

— Anonymous

"I am heartbroken to lose such a treasured friend, passionate colleague and joyous soul. My life has been profoundly enriched by Everette and his incredible spirit will live on in my heart, and in the many who knew and loved him so much. God’s speed, wonderful friend. Until we meet again"

— Jackie

"I remember when my brother Frank hired Everette back in the late 1970s thinking that this young 20 something year-old was the perfect person to work in our toy and hobby shop there on the Queen Mary. I remember Everette always had an answer for those technical questions that the customers would always ask about the Queen Mary, like how many portholes does a ship have or why is it shaped like a banana? Everette was one of the nicest and most gentle person that you could ever meet. He will be greatly missed."

—E. Ajello

"Everette was a kind, generous, caring soul who loved the Queen Mary as much and knew her as well as anyone; during the time I lived in L.A. and visited the ship often he was a resource, guide, sounding board, and a friendly, familiar face, always there to greet me (and whoever I brought to the ship with me) with a smile, a story, and a shared reverence for the great liner, which has never had and will never have a greater ambassador. I'm really going to miss him. Fair winds and following seas, my dear friend."

—Jay Braiman

"I remember me and my son had visited the Queen Mary one time and it was my sons first time there, we had got lost and I asked to directions. My son was very shy and he talked to my son and made him comfortable. As he was showing us where we had to go, he gave my son a little history of the Queen Mary. He was so patient with my son. So very kind. Such a nice man. I thank him so much for making me and my son feel so very welcome aboard the Queen Mary. He will be very missed. Thank you so much sir very being a very GOOD representation of the Queen Mary. Your smile will be missed."

—Petra Gonzalez

"Everette was absolutely the soul of the QM, from the moment I was hired he was a smiling face. I can't imagine going back and not hearing more of his stories, history and lore of the ship. What an incredible man."

—Eden

"I was heartbroken to read the news this morning of Commodore Everette Hoard’s passing. Please accept my sincerest condolences on the loss of such an extraordinary man. I’ve had the honor of knowing Commodore Everette since 2014, and he was one of the main reasons I returned to visit the Queen Mary time and again. His wealth of knowledge, kindness, and warmth made every visit feel like something truly special. He embodied the very soul of the ship. One of my fondest memories was in 2019, on the eve of Carnival Panorama’s inaugural sailing from Long Beach. Commodore Everette graciously joined our gathering in the Verandah Grill, where he shared stories about the Queen Mary and his love for her. He spent time with each of my guests, answering questions, reminiscing, and connecting on a personal level. He even returned the next morning to see us off—a gesture that meant the world to all of us. He will be deeply missed, but I have no doubt that his spirit and legacy will continue to live on through the Queen Mary. I know the ship and her crew will continue to honor him for many years to come. With heartfelt sympathy..."

— Scott Phares

"I was aboard the Queen Mary in April 2024 with a good friend of mine. We had the opportunity to speak to Commodore Hoard while in the First Class Main Hall. He was very passionate about the ship and her history. He even let us have an opportunity to sit in some of the ship’s original furniture. Rest easy, Everette, your voyage may have come to an end, but your legacy will live on forever"

—Aiden

" The passing of Commodore Everette is an unfathomably profound loss for all of us. His great kindness, gregarious humor, brilliant intellect, and his ability to convey his deep passion and detailed knowledge of the Queen Mary with such compelling, articulate drama and beauty were such profound gifts to us all. His loving, genuine nature was such a rare treasure. My deepest sympathy go out to his beloved wife Cyndi and his loved ones. We love you, Everette."

—Scott MacDonald

"Oh Everotto… I miss you. Your glow, kindness, passion, and goofy nature. You are a legend my dear friend. A LEGEND."

—Jeri H.

"I am deeply saddened to have heard of the death of Commodore Everette Hoard I know he will be greatly missed and that the ship namesake Her Majesty Queen Mary of Tech, grandmother to the late Queen would of loved you and would of been proud that you devoted your heart and time to the Queen Mary. As King George V said at the launching of the RMS Queen Mary, “As a sailor I have deep pleasure in coming here today to watch the launching by the Queen of this great and beautiful ship, the happy task of sending on her way,the stately a ship now in being,during those years when work upon her was suspended we grieved for what that suspension meant to thousands of our people, we rejoiced that with the help of my government it has been possible to lift that cloud and to complete this ship, it has been the nations will that she should be completed and today we can send her forth, no longer a number on the books but the ship with a name in the world alive with beauty, energy, and strength.” George RI Commodore Hoard you are engraved in the Queen Mary’s history and you will forever be missed. Now go forth into the arms of your Creator Jesus Christ. He has called you home to be with Him. As King Charles lll in his first speech as King after the death of Queen Elizabeth ll, May flights of Angels sing thee to thy rest."

—Morgan Underwood

"I got to spend an afternoon on a tour with the Commodore, he was so kind and knowledgeable, he shared that he’d always had a love for ships from a young age and had so much respect for the Queen Mary. I’m so happy to have met him and love that he got to spend his days on a ship he loved talking about history and things he loved."

—Deanne Martinez

"Heartbroken to hear of Commodore Hoard's passing. He was a kind, gentle soul whose passion for the Queen Mary was truly unmatched. We'll never forget the personal tour he gave us the day I proposed to my wife aboard the ship. He made a special moment even more unforgettable. Rest easy, Commodore. You were one of a kind."

—Matt Van Hoesen


"Our beloved Honorary Commodore Everette Hoard mirrored all the wonderful traits of the Queen Mary he so dear loved - kindness, selflessness, devotion, and goodwill to all.His legacy will forever be a part of the RMS Queen Mary's tapestry and will live on in our hearts and our memories. I am blessed to have known Everette for 20 years. I will cherish the times we've spent aboard and boy will I miss that smile of his! Words cannot describe how much I admire him for his loyalty to and love for the greatest ocean liner of all time. We honor you, Everette. We remember the beautiful life you lived and your heart so deeply loved. The RMS Queen Mary has eternally wrapped her loving arms around you. Fair winds and following seas, my dear friend."


—  Nicole Strickland

 a man in a uniform

"I am so very saddened to hear this. He was such an amazing man. We were fortunate enough to join him at the Captain's table for brunch last year for Mother's Day. He regaled us with stories from his childhood of reading everything he could about the Queen Mary and BEGGING his parents to take him to California so he could see her in person. That dream eventually came true only to be followed by the dream of becoming the Commodore of the grand lady herself. Fair winds and following seas Commodore Everette. You were greatly loved and will be greatly missed. Thank you for sharing the MAGIC with us all. "


— Gail

 

"I first met a young, tall, skinny kid who had recently started work in the model and toy shop onboard 40 some years ago. Hi, I’m Everette! A new Queen Mary friendship began. During those many years I’d lose touch as he was working here or there on the ship or in “London Towne”. We would run into each other and resume right where we left off. During the last many years we spent lots of time talking RMS Queen Mary and Cunard. He did a fantastic job in organizing and serving as MC of the 75th Anniversary events while supervising the Ship stores, most not only Stacks. As a part of the events he had many items from wine glasses to special clothing items made which promptly sold out. During this time Stacks had books for sale. He managed to acquire antiquarian books on the ship including many of the past Captain’s autobiographies. His subsequent promotion to Commodore was pure brilliance. His demeanor make everyone feel special. He deported himself with the greatest dignity at many public event in which he represented the ship. In my retirement, I was able to spend more time on the ship and with E. I became an ordained clergyman and was able to share that side of my life with him in a couple of his times in need. But always with that great ship as our backdrop! We traded many items and I gave him some and he gave me some. One of his Uniform Coats was mine and he always would mention how grateful he was. Hats, patches, uniform items as well as books articles and so much more. He has left enormous shoes to fill, figuratively and literally! He was a great friend and I shall always cherish the hours we spent together!"

—James Brandmueller

 a man in a uniform

" Commodore Everette Hoard truly made our stay on board a wonderful and memorable experience in 2023. A real gentleman. I cannot say enough about this kind man."

—Barry and Elizabeth Gregg

a man in a uniform

"He was such a good and sweet man. Rest easy Commodore."

—Jessica

 

"My dear Commodore, as you begin your last great crossing to join the legendary Captains of the Queen Mary, I wish simply to say thank you. Thank you for all your love and dedication to our beloved Queen Mary, too her visitors and her crew. Your friendship is truly something I will cherish always. Stepping onboard just won't be the same without you. I was so honoured to share your last visit to your second home, Southampton, England. Where together we explored all that was left in city linked to the Queen Mary including her gang way. I remember standing in front of Captains Jones grave, you turned to me and said “I miss the captain so very much” I hope now you are with him once again reminiscing about all the adventures for which you and him both loved. Like him you will remain forever intertwined to the Queen Marys history. You have been and will remain an inspiration to us all. Thank you my dear friend, god bless you. May flights of angles sing thee to thy rest."

—Matthew Bambury

 

"Commodore Hoard was a person of which words cannot describe. I am honoured to have known him, and to have called a friend. Perhaps my favourite memory of him was the day he let me sign the passenger guest book in the Captain’s day room. Another favourite memory was certainly also when he helped me display Henry Hall’s photo (the composer of the Queen Mary’s signature tune) in the music room. I will forever cherish the moments I had with him, and the many wonderful and interesting conversations we had. He always brought joy into my life, along with many other good friends. Everette was, and still is one of my heroes. I will forever remember and miss you. Until we’ll meet again, some sunny day."

—Shilo Svoboda

 

"We all will miss you. Thank you for everything. You will forever remain in our hearts"

—Eric

 

"Always our Mr. Queen Mary. We will miss you Everette. Fair winds and following seas. Leo has promised to honour your passion and become an officer on the seas. Thank you for always being so kind and supportive of him."

—Alexandra Gradwell-Spencer