MFSA is saddened to learn of the passing of two past members of our Board of Directors.
John Hartup was a founding member of MFSA. He was a member of the organizing committee formed in 1983 that led to the creation of MFSA. It’s his signature on Chevron’s petition to join MFSA.
His life was defined by service, leadership, and a deep commitment to protecting the region’s waterways and communities. After earning a civil engineering degree through the GI Bill and serving two tours in Korea with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, John spent 38 years with Chevron, ultimately managing the Willbridge Terminal in Portland. His work there positioned him as a key figure in the creation of both the Maritime Fire & Safety Association and the Clean Rivers Cooperative. He served as the first president of the Clean Rivers Board of Directors in 1971 and later as president of the MFSA Board in 1988—roles that helped shape the cooperative emergency response and environmental protection systems the region relies on today. In 2024, he was honored with the christening of a new skimming vessel bearing his name, the OSRV John Hartup. Beyond his professional contributions, John was active in his church, participated in international mission work, served on university and seminary boards, and embraced a lifetime love of the outdoors. He is survived by his daughters, Connie Shearer and Cheryl Hartup, and by his grandchildren, who carry forward the faith, generosity, and steadfast spirit that defined his life.
John passed away on November 20, 2025 at the age of 97. His full obituary can be read here.
James Michael ‘Mic’ Dorrance spent a total of 14 years on our Board of Directors first joining the board in 1990 and serving as Board President in 1993. He returned to the board in 1998 and served a second term as Board President in 1999 and a third term in 2001. He retired from the board in 2008.
Mic’s first term on the MFSA board was during a particularly busy time in our history. During his first term as Board President, he oversaw the formation of both our oil and communications programs. Our tower on Green Mountain was built during his watch and he served as one of our original four Interim Spill Response Coordinators (ISRC).
Mic passed away on January 10, 2026 at the age of 75. You can read his full obituary here.
