Capt’n Lou Gainor
1947 – 2020
“We are saddened by the loss of Capt’n Lou Gainor, host of Nautical Talk radio on WATD for 28 years. In addition to hosting his talk show, Lou would help cover candidates during election night and breaking news as needed. Capt’n Lou was one of the kindest souls to walk through our doors. He will be dearly missed.” – The WATD Family
Listen to the podcast from the tribute show, hosted by Lou’s son, Navigator Brad, which aired on WATD on Sunday, August 9, 2020 and contains stories about Lou’s life and legacy plus interviews from past shows including singer Billy Joel and actor Paul Sorvino.
Listen to Capt’n Lou’s interview with Florence Henderson. You probably remember her as Mrs. Carol Brady from The Brady Bunch.
Listen to Capt’n Lou’s interview with Red Sox Hall of Famer Rico Petrocelli.
Listen to Capt’n Lou’s interview with retired naval architect, Raymond Ramsey, who helped design the Edmund Fitzgerald.
Capt’n Lou is interviewed about his show by Boating Local Magazine.
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Below was written by Lou’s son, Navigator Brad, who co-hosted Nautical Talk for many years:
“On the morning of August 1, 2020 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer, Capt’n Lou, of Hull passed away. He was lovingly surrounded by his wife of 51 years Ellen (Chernov), his son Brad, his niece Linda Chernov, and his dog Gilligan.
It Was A Lovely Cruise.
Louis Gainor (aka Capt’n Lou) studied at Northeastern University and Bentley College. Lou found his first achievements as a real estate entrepreneur. It was his success in real estate that allowed him to “live the life” on the water, cruising with his wife and son from Boston to Florida for eight consecutive seasons on a 1986 46’ Bertram with twin 892 Detroit Diesels that he watched the Miami factory build. He was a seasoned captain, boating since age six.
In 1992 Lou was commodore of the Metropolitan Yacht Club, becoming a lifetime Trustee and one of its most senior members. After real estate came another entrepreneurial achievement: Capt’n Lou on Nautical Talk Radio, broadcast on 95.9 FM WATD. Capt’n Lou interviewed celebrity SCUBA diver Jacques Cousteau, famous boat builders Irwin Jacobs and Reggie Fountain, politicians State Senator Bruce Tarr, the late Senator Ted Kennedy, and Governor Mitt Romney and entertainers Billy Joel and Florence Henderson, among others.
Capt’n Lou and Nautical Talk Radio received many awards including MA/RI Associated Press “Best Talk Show”, Joshua James Lifesaving Medal for “public service”, American Lighthouse Foundation’s “Len Hadley Award”, Boston’s Achievement In Radio “Best Interview Award”, and was nominated for Boston’s Achievement In Radio “Best Produced Public Affairs Program”.
Capt’n Lou was an avid supporter of recreational boating/fishing and the recreational/commercial fishing industries. He was a retired member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary 1980-2005 and was invited in 2012 to participate in the Turning Ceremony of the USS Constitution. His many other accomplishments included Public Affairs Officer U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary 2001-2004, Publicity and Media Chairman for Quincy Bay Race Week Association 2000-Present, and Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council 1996-2000.
Lou was a lifetime member of the Mass Striped Bass Association, Boat Writers International, South Shore Harbormasters Association, and Stellwagen Bank Charter Boat Association. He was proud to serve on the Board of Directors for South Shore Elder Services.
Lou was born in Quincy to the late Thelma (Yenof) Gainor-Andelman and Burton Gainor. He was the step-son of the late Morris Andelman and brother of the late Milton Gainor. He also leaves his daughter-in-law Stacey, beloved grandson Sam, step-brother Joel Andelman and his wife Linda, step-sister Jane Lubin, sisters-in-law Cecily Rosenberg and Sandy Forman, brother-in-law Charles Chernov and his wife Michelle.”
If you’d like to make a donation in Lou’s memory his family has directed us to the Scituate Animal Shelter (scituateanimalshelter.org) and/or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).
