A pair of gatherings in May will celebrate the life and service of Ian Allison, the Santa Rosa businessman, inventor and global foe of hunger who died last fall at age 93.
Allison was a World War II merchant mariner who came to national prominence as a leader of the campaign to win financial compensation for the civilian sailors who sacrificed much in the war but were denied most of the benefits extended to military veterans.
A restlessly creative man of action, Allison also partnered with late actor Eddie Albert in a nonprofit that sent vegetable seeds to hungry people around the globe.
The first event honoring his life will be a memorial celebration from 1 to 4 p.m. May 17 at Legends Sports Bar & Grill at the Bennett Valley Golf Course.
On the following Saturday, May 24, Allison will be among the honorees of a special San Francisco Bay cruise of the Liberty ship USS Jeremiah O'Brien.
The four-hour cruise will feature live music and complimentary beverages and will acknowledge the service and sacrifice of all veterans of the U.S. Merchant Marine and U.S. Navy Armed Guard.
A special tribute will honor Allison's service at sea and also to the American Merchant Marine Veterans and the Just Compensation Committee.
There is a charge for the memorial cruise, owing to the high cost of maintaining and operating the Jeremiah O'Brien. For more information on the May 24 event, phone (415) 544-0100 or visit www.ssjeremiahobrien.org.
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