The Friday Harbor Port Commission on Oct. 14 approved the following tribute to Nourdine Jensen, a member of the first Port Commission.

Jensen, 95, died Oct. 11. Graveside service was today at Valley Cemetery, followed by a celebration of life at Friday Harbor Presbyterian Church.

* * *

Nourdine Jensen served the San Juan Island community in the capacity of port commissioner from 1950 through 1973. He was a founding member of the Port of Friday Harbor, along with John Jones and R.F. Buck.

Those early port commissioners laid the foundation for a public facility that today supports our local economy by bringing thousands of annual visitors to the island, by providing space for private and commercial vessels, for waterfront and airport business development, and for many types of water and air transportation.

Nourdine exemplified the spirit of a small town: something needs to be done, and someone has to step up and do it. And often, in a small town, each person has to play several parts. His service as a Town Council member, school board member and Opalco board member demonstrate that when he saw the need to step up for community progress, he stepped up.

Someone said today that “It’s hard to see our ‘old timers’ go.” And it is, because so much of the community that we live in today is thanks to their vision and volunteerism over the many years before we arrived. Their absence means that it’s our turn to step up.

Thank you, Nourdine, for all of the years you dedicated to this island community. You will be greatly missed.

— Friday Harbor Port Commission: Mike Ahrenius, Greg Hertel, Barbara Marrett