(Photo courtesy of Susan Gibbs.)
We wish fair winds and following seas to Founding Conservancy Board Member and former SS United States crew member Joe Rota, who passed away on September 5th at the age of 89. America's Flagship has lost a champion, but his passion for the Big U and his steadfast conviction that she would be saved will continue to guide us as we chart the course for the ship's future.
During his career aboard the SS United States, Joe did and saw it all - and he was always happy to share his many wonderful stories. Between 1954 and 1959, and then again in 1964 and 1965, Joe held numerous roles aboard America’s Flagship, including First Class Elevator Operator, Bellboy, Waiter, and finally as the ship’s Photographer.
Joe Rota, Johnny Rizzo (cabin class bellboy), Rita Denehy, Donald D. Denehy (Chief Photographer), John Francis White (Assistant Bell Captain) are pictured in Southampton in 1956.
(Photo Courtesy of Joe Rota.)
During an episode of “The Observation Lounge,” recorded in 2021, Joe reflected on the lasting relationships crew members formed from working and living together while onboard. He also talked about some of the perks of working on the SS United States, including the crew accommodations and meals.
As the ship’s Photographer, Joe was given special permission to move about behind the scenes. The role provided him the countless opportunities to photograph notable sightings on board the Big U. Among the fascinating celebrities whose faces captured Joe’s attention were artist Salvador Dalí, and actors Charlton Heston and Judy Garland. The Conservancy is fortunate to count among our collection all of Joe’s celebrity photos as well as his fabulous home movie footage.
(Photo courtesy of Joe Rota.)
Famous faces weren’t the only images Joe captured. He also took this image of Coast Guardsman Stephen Long being transferred to the SS United States from USCGC Ingham for an emergency appendectomy, a story detailed in another episode of “The Observation Lounge.”
His guidance, perspective, and dedication to the Conservancy has helped ensure we've been able to keep this irreplaceable symbol of America safe for more than a decade.
At one of the great ship’s most perilous moments, Joe did what he always did - he told his story. Appearing on Fox & Friends, Joe talked about delivering a telegram to former President Harry Truman. His passion and eloquence helped generate renewed interest in the vessel and spurred many generous donations that staved off the scrapyard.
Joe reflected on his time aboard the Big U during the Conservancy’s 2018 Legacy Cruise to Bermuda aboard the Celebrity Summit. Appropriately enough, while the vessel was at sea, the Conservancy presented Joe with its Blue Riband Award in recognition of his lifetime of service to America's Flagship.
Joe Rota reflects on his time aboard the Big U and his involvement with the SS United States Conservancy during the 2018 Legacy Cruise.
Beyond the Conservancy, Joe loved spending time with his family on their farm. He had a special place in his heart for Lake George and the Adirondacks, where he enjoyed numerous activities and remained in local government and as a member of the Lake George Park Commission. CLICK HERE to read Joe’s full obituary.
Joe’s passion for the SS United States is best summed up in his own words. Here’s what he wrote in an email in November, 2020, while listening to Howard Hanson’s Second Symphony “The Romantic”:
“I had a [recording] of this piece and used to play it often while in my upper bunk on C Deck all the way forward. The walls were slanted because of the bow angle, they were warm because of the friction of the ocean going by so fast, and they were noisy like a subway. It all came back to me in a different way tonight listening to Hanson’s masterful and beautiful music. I saw the SS United States pushing through a 3000-mile barrier of ocean, gliding effortlessly. I saw her crashing through huge seas attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean faster than any other passenger ship ever created. And being successful. The combination of the music and those images was enough for me to close [my] book, put out the lights, and just listen and think and see the images being projected in my head of our favorite ship and remembering my nights in the upper bunk on C deck all the way forward. Play this piece of music sometime, close your eyes and hopefully the image of the SS United States will appear for you too!”
