When Secretary-Treasurer Nick Celona climbed aboard the SS Jeremiah O’Brien on March 9 for the San Francisco Bay Area and Vicinity Port Maritime Council meeting, he knew it would be special.
After all, he has been very involved with the PMC since the Seafarers Union assigned him to San Francisco in 1990. He has been active in its many causes and events. This would be his last meeting as he is headed to Louisiana for his newest assignment for the SIU.
But, according to PMC President Dave Connolly, Celona was caught off guard by what occurred at the end of the meeting when the Port Council presented him with a plaque for his years of service.
“This was long overdue,” Connolly stated. “We have been trying to do this for Nick since November but the pandemic made us postpone our meetings.”
“This is very nice and means a lot to me,” Celona responded a day later. “I was surprised.”
The plaque, which features a 1970s-era PMC logo, reads: “For his efforts to protect and defend the US Merchant Marine; And the working San Francisco Waterfront; This Meritorious Service Award is presented to Nick Celona; Vice President of Government Services Seafarers International Union; Secretary-Treasurer San Francisco Port Council, Maritime Trades Department AFL-CIO.”
Celona added he is very proud of the work that has been done through the years by all the members of the San Francisco Port Council.