Canaveral Port Authority chairman Wayne Justice passed away this week at 70 years old.
At the Nov. 5 State of the Port address, commissioner Kevin Markey had requested prayers for Justice, who had been dealing with health issues.
Justice has served on the Canaveral Port Authority Board of Commissioners for 11 years.
Justice retired as a Rear Admiral from the U.S. Coast Guard after a long career. He was a Coast Guard Academy and Naval War College graduate before spending 37 years in the Coast Guard. He spent 12 years of his career on cutters where he specialized in drug, migrant, and search and rescue patrols. He also spent three years as a military aide to Presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton when his responsibilities included the potential execution of the nuclear codes.
The Canaveral Port Authority said in a provided statement: “It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Canaveral Port Authority Chairman Admiral Wayne Justice.”
“Admiral Justice was elected in 2014 and has served continuously, including three times as the board chairman. He was a champion for the Port, his beloved Coast Guard, and our Port district community. His spirit, enthusiasm, leadership and passion for the maritime industry will be deeply missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Barbara and his entire family,” the statement reads.
Port Commissioner Jerry Allender said his colleague’s passing will be a “tremendous” loss for Port Canaveral. He said Justice was someone who took pride in his work not only at the Port but in his Coast Guard service as well. “We were both elected to the Port Authority and were close friends working diligently for the Port. The Port was everything to Wayne. He was extremely interested in the operations of the Port and helping the Port become what it is today,” Allender said.
“He was very involved in the day-to-day operations of the Port as a commissioner. Wayne was extraordinary in spending time behind the scenes and always promoted Port Canaveral either in Brevard County or when he was traveling,” he added.
Tyler Vazquez is the Growth and Development Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. Twitter: @tyler_vazquez.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Port Canaveral chairman and retired Rear Admiral Wayne Justice passes away at age 70
Reporting by Tyler Vazquez, Florida Today / Florida Today
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
1 comment
I had the opportunity and the distinct pleasure of working alongside Admiral Justice (than lieutenant commander) at the White House during the early 1990s. Our team and the military aides we’re cut from the same cloth and inseparable during our National security missions. I spent many an afternoons working out with Wayne and always playing walleyball @ Camp David. What Wayne forgot to mention, was during those walleyball contests the Opposing team was made up of our guys and we would kick butt on a regular basis, (ha ha). To his family and friends know that his legacy endures within our agency. and we honorably and respectfully welcomed him into our fraternity. n.b., in the photo with President Bush and Vice President Quayle, Commander Justice and I are the supervisors for the Presidential detail that evening. That is on the colonnade of the White House separating the residence from the oval office. President Bush is walking to the Oval Office to address the nation regarding the transition from operation desert shield to operation desert storm, very memorable night.
Godspeed, sir, and condolences to your family.
Bruce Bowen
Supervisor, Presidential Protective Division (retired)
US Secret Service