Making way for 64 years

Louise and Roy B. Woolsey, both 87, have lived on Lido Isle since

1960, when they left Los Angeles and moved into their vacation home.

Roy B. Woolsey, a retired lawyer who was once commodore of the

Lido Isle Yacht Club and is still an active member, continues to sail

his Lido 14 and his Laser on a regular basis. He races in the Flight

of the Lasers every year.

Louise Woolsey, who holds a master’s degree in zoology, spent

several years working as a teacher.

Since purchasing their home in 1952, they have added on twice, and

each renovation cost more than the house.

The couple have been married for 64 years and couldn’t be more in

love -- they laugh at each other’s stories and finish each other’s

sentences.

The Pilot’s Lindsay Sandham recently listened to some of their

stories.

How did you wind up getting married 64 years ago?

Roy: I proposed to [Louise] and she didn’t say yes or no. Finally

she said, “Well, you know, I always wanted to marry somebody whose

love letters I could read. Your penmanship leaves a lot to be

desired. If you take the course in penmanship at UCLA and if you pass

it, I’ll marry you.”

And I said, “That’s a deal.”

So I took the course.... At the end of the period, when I got my

grade, it showed a C, so I guess that means I flunked the last half.

So the first half you were graded on improvement -- which you got

an A+ -- and the second half you were graded on your ability to

write?

Roy: I didn’t write very well, I still had a lot of room for

improvement. Louise said as soon as I passed the class, she’d hold up

to her end of the bargain. So we got married.

And you have children?

Roy: We’re very proud of our son, who was born in 1945, Roy Jr.

who lives in Los Altos Hills, and Barbara, born in 1950, who lives in

Vancouver, Wash.

Louise: Our son’s wife is giving him a big party Sunday because

it’s his 60th birthday and we’re flying up to Los Altos Hills.

The Lido Isle Yacht Club named a regatta after you, is that right,

the Roy Woolsey Regatta?

Roy: Oh, they named that for me because I gave a trophy years ago

for the Tri-port race we used to have. Coming back from Ensenada,

we’d have a race the following weekend, people would race from San

Diego to Oceanside one day and Oceanside to Newport the next day.

They quit giving that regatta 20 years ago, so the trophy wasn’t used

for a while. They asked me to rededicate it, and I did for a regatta

here, so they named the regatta after me.

Louise, have you ever sailed?

Louise: Oh, I used to be his crew when I was younger. I can’t get

around fast enough; these young kids are so fast.

Roy: She did real fine as a crew, it’s just she didn’t like that

captain.

Louise: (laughing) Oh, all skippers yell at their crew. You’re

expected to!

Do you have a regular group of guys that you go sailing with

around here?

Roy: I sail in most of the regattas around here.

What kind of boats do you sail?

Roy: I have a Lido 14 and a Laser. The Laser’s an Olympic class

boat, and I’m proud to be able to sail it. I haven’t capsized for a

little while (laughs.)

How old were you when you started sailing?

Roy: First time I sailed, I was 18. I read a chapter in a Boy

Scout book on how to sail and I came down here and rented a boat and

everything went just like the book said it would.

Louise: Tell her about those two guys you took sailing.

Roy: There were three of us who came down here. We rented one of

those 16- or 18-foot boats for rent near the ferry and the guy looked

at us and said, “You fellas know how to sail?” And the other guys

looked at me and said, “He does.” I didn’t deny it, so he rented the

boat to us. At least I’d read the book.

I understand one of your goals is to live to 100?

Roy: I expect to, and I expect [Louise] to help me. (Louise

laughs)

How are you going to do that?

Roy: How am I going to get her to help me? I told her she won’t

know how to do a lot of things without me. She believes me, so let’s

not go into it.

Louise: I can’t open jars and cans without him.

One hundred seems like a good goal.

Roy: There was a day when I thought 80 was old. Somehow, I wish I

were 80.