[Shipyard Sam]

Half-way between Pittsburgh and Cairo, on the Ohio River, is Aurora, Indiana. A boy, or girl, growing up so close to the river has to develop strong and loving ties to the water, and such a fellow was Stephen Joseph "Aurora Joe" Connelton. Joe was found dead, today, at his home in Aurora at age 62, or so. He had recently retired from the GRAND VICTORIA II casino boat where he served faithfully for 15 years on the deck. Always full of laughter and ready to tell an amusing story, Joe was a respected hand with several years of Navy time to his credit where he served aboard the Attack Transport, APA 36, USS CAMBRIA. Joe enlisted in February 1965, and left for the Navy on Valentine's Day. Joe was aboard the CAMBRIA for the better part of three years.

Joe was a member of the original crew of the GVII after the former HILTON FLAMINGO arrived on the Ohio River from New Orleans. Joe had a long-time love affair with the river, and he was especially animated during Derby Days when the DELTA QUEEN and BELLE OF LOUISVILLE raced, and could recall nearly every minute of the race that he followed on Louisville radio or from newspaper accounts in the Cincinnati and Louisville rags.

As it is too early for arrangements to be announced, Joe will join his beloved wife, Judy, at the Aurora Riverview Cemetery overlooking the river within ear-shot of the sounds of towboat whistles that often echo among the hills between Indiana and Kentucky; about where the river narrows before wrapping around Laughrey Island at the mid-point of the Ohio on its way to the Mississippi.