RIP Captain Ron

Descant · 09-25-2025, 11:22 AM

With sadness, we let you know of the passing this morning of Captain Ron Largey, owner of the Great Escape. Formerly the Tonimar mail boat, the Great Escape is a 1926 Hubert Johnson cruiser measuring 43'. As the Tonimar, the master stateroom overhead had been removed and converted to a flush deck for passenger seats, and the galley and forward staeroom, I believe, were converted to the mail room. Capatin Ron, a craftsman, brought the cabin out of storage and over a period of several years restored the Great Escape. The Largey's are remembered by many for being on an annual Thanksgiving Day cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the last pleasure boats in operation at that late date. RIP Captain Ron and condolences to his wife and family.

webmaster · 09-25-2025, 11:36 AM

https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...hp?photo=17097

barefootbay · 09-27-2025, 04:41 PM

Is the Great Escape still on Winnipesaukee or was she retired ?
Knew the original owner of the Tonimar well. Capt. Lawerence Beck , he was a character .

Descant · 09-28-2025, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barefootbay

Is the Great Escape still on Winnipesaukee or was she retired ?
Knew the original owner of the Tonimar well. Capt. Lawerence Beck , he was a character .

I believe she's still in her boathouse; did not get launched this year. I understand succession plans are in place for the boat and the boathouse. Unlikely anyrthing will happen soon.

09-25-2025, 11:22 AM	#1
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,468 Thanks: 1,381 Thanked 1,665 Times in 1,084 Posts	RIP Captain Ron With sadness, we let you know of the passing this morning of Captain Ron Largey, owner of the Great Escape. Formerly the Tonimar mail boat, the Great Escape is a 1926 Hubert Johnson cruiser measuring 43'. As the Tonimar, the master stateroom overhead had been removed and converted to a flush deck for passenger seats, and the galley and forward staeroom, I believe, were converted to the mail room. Capatin Ron, a craftsman, brought the cabin out of storage and over a period of several years restored the Great Escape. The Largey's are remembered by many for being on an annual Thanksgiving Day cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee, one of the last pleasure boats in operation at that late date. RIP Captain Ron and condolences to his wife and family.

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09-25-2025, 11:36 AM	#2
webmaster Moderator Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 2,476 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 463 Thanked 3,985 Times in 854 Posts	https://www.winnipesaukee.com/photop...hp?photo=17097

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09-27-2025, 04:41 PM	#3
barefootbay Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 395 Thanks: 77 Thanked 106 Times in 74 Posts	Is the Great Escape still on Winnipesaukee or was she retired ? Knew the original owner of the Tonimar well. Capt. Lawerence Beck , he was a character .