On October 1, 2013, the marine industry
and Maryland locals lost a good friend and
colleague, John Carl “Jack” Hornor to brain
disease while at Hospice of Queen Anne’s in
Centreville, MD. He was 68.
A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Mr. Hornor was
raised in Waterloo. As a student, he played
tackle and guard for the 1962 Waterloo
High School football team, which finished
the season undefeated. One of his teammates
was future New York Giants coach Tom
Coughlin. Prior to his marine experience,
Hornor attended two years of college in
Kansas on a football scholarship before he
flew helicopters during the Vietnam conflict
as part of the U.S. Army Special Forces, and
received a degree in business administration
from State University of New York.
Before he graduated from the Westlawn
Institute of Marine Technology, ABYC’s
educational affiliate, he was the service
manager at two marinas, then went to
work for the City of Ft. Lauderdale. He
was still studying with Westlawn while
trying to get his own survey business off
the ground. Hornor celebrated life on the
water as a sailor. He was a naval architect
and marine surveyor with many ties to the
recreational boating industry. Hornor was
the founder and owner of Marine Survey
& Design Company and was a mentor to
many in the marine industry. One of his
many specialties was handling damage
claims. He helped salvage hundreds of
boats in the aftermath of Hurricane
Sandy and other hurricanes as part of the
BoatU.S. Marine Insurance Catastrophe
Team. He also served as an expert witness
in legal cases involving vessels. In addition
to being a very active member with ABYC,
Mr. Hornor was a former board member
of the National Association of Marine
Surveyors, and a member of the Society of
Naval Architects and Marine Engineers,
the Mid-Atlantic Mariners Club, and the
Miles River Yacht Club.
He is survived by his wife of 25 years,
Elaine Dickinson, of Neavitt, a sister and
brother-in-law, Judith and Robert Parsons,
of Las Vegas, NV; a sister-in-law, Jean
Mansur, of Raritan Township, NJ; a sister-
in-law, Carol Dickinson, and her husband,
James Hammond, of Westminster, MD;
and four nieces and one nephew. In lieu
of flowers, donations may be made to
Hospice of Queen Anne’s, Inc., 255
Comet Drive, Centreville, MD 21617, or
any local hospice organization.
Elaine –
He sailed his whole life. He really
loved it.
John Adey –
Jack was a close friend and
mentor for me personally and many of the
ABYC staff. His expertise and sage advice will
certainly be missed.
Mary Lou Prokopchak –
As I look out on the
Chesapeake Bay I imagine Jack at peace enjoying
what he loved the most... fair winds and following
seas dear friend… it was a great 13 years!
Doug Alling –
Being Jack’s apprentice was any
aspiring surveyor’s dream. I often say that the
best classroom I’ve ever sat in was Jack’s truck.
He shared so much knowledge and I learned
JACK HORNOR
ABYC REMEMBERS A MARINE INDUSTRY LEADER, BOARD CHAIR, AND TOP-NOTCH SURVEYOR AND MENTOR
The following is a combination
of writing and reflection in
Jack Hornor’s Memory.
ABYC Annual Meeting, March 2013
