BY MILES LAYTON
TANGIER, Va. — On Tangier Island, where the rhythms of life are still set by the Chesapeake Bay, few men embodied the spirit of the water like Alonza James “Lonnie” Moore III. Whether he was running a deadrise at full throttle, cracking a joke at just the right moment, or lending a hand when someone needed it most, Lonnie’s presence rippled across the island community he loved.
Mr. Moore died at home on Monday, August 18, 2025, after a long illness. He was 70.
For most of his life, Lonnie could be found on the deck of one of his boats — first the This’ll Do, then the Loni Carol I and II, and later the Alona Rahab. He was a fierce competitor in boat docking contests, known for precision landings that drew cheers and trophies from Crisfield to Reedville. “Lonnie was a force to be reckoned with no matter what boat he was runnin’,” one fellow waterman said. “He always had that throttle wide open.”
His life on the water eventually led him to Port Isobel, where, beginning in 1999, he served as fleet and facility manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. For two decades, until his retirement in 2019, Lonnie kept the foundation’s vessels and facilities humming, bringing with him not just mechanical skill but a deep knowledge of the Bay and a conviction to protect it.
A gallery of photos featuring Lonnie appears at the end of this story. Rest in Peace!
A Servant’s Heart
Lonnie’s influence stretched far beyond the docks. He served on the Tangier Town Council, sat on the board of the David B. Nichols Health Center, and was a faithful member of New Testament Congregation. His faith often carried him well beyond Tangier’s shores. He joined mission trips to hurricane-ravaged communities, hammer in hand, helping strangers rebuild homes and lives. He also volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.
“You’d never find a humbler man,” said a family friend. “Lonnie helped others simply because he felt it was the right thing to do.”
I must also mention the story of Lonnie’s heroism, which comes from Earl Swift’s book Chesapeake Requiem. On April 24, 2017, after the Henrietta C. had slipped under the waves during a major storm, Lonnie helped rescue Jason Charnock.
Lonnie made another looping venture to the northeast. Light and lively as his boat (Alona Rahab) was, the deck swerved, dipped and tilted under his feet. The storm was strengthening. Tangier boats fanned out to the north and south of him and he could see that they were getting tossed. Lonnie reckoned that it was blowing 35 mph, gusting to 40.
The Coast Guard chopper roared low overhead, circling. Flew over again. Now Carol’s voice came over the radio.
“Lonnie, do you see anything? Like many families, the Moores kept a marine VHF in their house.
“Nothing yet, Carol,” he replied.
“Do you have hope?”
He did not answer… He did not share his worry with the other boats. To the contrary, as he made another circle in the Alona Rahab, and another, always returning to the spot he’d marked on his GPS, Lonnie tried to encourage their crews. I know they could still be alive, he said into his radio. I know because I’ve been there.
Time was getting short. Carol called again.
“Anything yet, Lonnie?”
“Nothing yet, Carol.”
Lonnie made another circle, and suddenly Michael (Parks) shouted, “I see something!”
From his unsteady perch, he was peering over the cabin to the water ahead of the boat.
“It’s right smack over your bow!”
Lonnie turned the wheel and slid open his window as Michael yelled, “I think it’s Jason!”
Dead ahead, the waves had parted to reveal a man neck-deep in the water. He stripped off a red T-shirt and was waving it over his head. Michael heaved a life ring to him and pulled him to the Alona Rahab.
There’s much more to that story, but that’s for another day. The main point – when the call for help was needed, Lonnie didn’t hesitate to answer, and that speaks volumes about the man’s character.
Laughter and Nicknames
Those who knew him best say it wasn’t just his work ethic or generosity that defined him, but his sense of humor. Lonnie had an unmatched ability to lighten a room, his jokes slipping in at just the right moment. His quick wit earned him a handful of nicknames — “Lounge,” “Jungle Cat,” and “Gizmer” among them — each one a reflection of the laughter he sparked.
Family First
But nothing gave him more joy than his family. For 44 years, he was devoted to his wife, Carol Pruitt Moore.
From Earl Swift’s book, Chesapeake Requiem:
As luck would have it, Lonnie Moore, though born in Meat Soup, spent most of his life as a King Streeter; he lived the equivalent of a city block away, behind a famed inn and restaurant, Hilda Crockett’s Chesapeake House, that was started by his grandmother in 1939. He was eight years older than Carol — “And trust me,” she said. “That man had sowed his wild oats. He’d not been passing out Bible tracts.”
Even so, they started dating the summer after she graduated from high school in 1980.
“He was fun to be with, to hang around with.” He proposed that August. They married the following April.
Fast forward 45 years – “Lonnie was the love of my life for almost 45 years,” Carol said. “I am lost without him. I’ve loved him since I was 12. We knew each other for always.”
Together they raised two children, Loni Renee and Alex, and eventually welcomed five grandchildren who adored their “Poppy.” “Nothing made him smile more than hearing them call for him,” his daughter recalled.
Family gatherings often found Lonnie at the center, telling stories, teasing with good humor, and soaking in the love that surrounded him. His grandchildren — Alona, Gavin, Rahab, Jason, and Eddie — were his greatest pride, and his playful spirit will live on through them.
The Island’s Gratitude
Lonnie’s final years were marked by courage as he battled Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a rare neurological disease. He was cared for at home thanks to the dedication of his brothers-in-law Jim and Chris, his nephew Austin, the Tangier Volunteer Fire Department, and his hospice nurse Susan Parks. His family expressed deep gratitude to the many friends who visited and to the staff at Shore Health and Rehabilitation Center for their exceptional care.
The island will remember him not just as a skilled waterman but as a neighbor who always showed up — whether hauling supplies with his own boat and equipment, serving on a board, or simply sharing a laugh at the right time.
Service and Legacy
A celebration of Lonnie’s life was held Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 2 p.m. at New Testament Congregation, with a time of sharing beginning at 1 p.m. All were invited to join the family afterward for a meal.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the PSP & CBD Foundation or the Tangier Volunteer Fire Department.
Lonnie Moore leaves behind his wife, Carol; daughter, Loni Renee Charnock (Jason); son, J. Alexander “Alex” Moore (Lydia); his brother, Tracy Moore (Trenna); grandchildren; extended family; and countless friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alonza Jr. and Edna Lee Sears; his sister, Barbara “Jody” Cannon; and other beloved relatives.
On Tangier, where memories are tied to tide and tidewater, Lonnie will be remembered as a man who gave fully of himself — to the Bay, to his community, to his church, and most of all, to his family.
His laughter, faith, and steady hand at the helm will be missed, but the wake of his life will continue to ripple through the Chesapeake for years to come.
Tangier Island, Virginia 