One With the Sea: An Inspiring Rags-to-Riches Saga of the Son of an Irish Immigrant

About the Book:

Born the only son of an Irish immigrant, Richard O'Leary's love of the sea since a young child caused him to attend the Maine Maritime Academy, serve as an officer in the Navy, as an officer on the SS United States, and as the Commandant of Midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. He went on to an illustrious business career based in Norfolk, Virginia. The company he founded grew from a one-person operation to a national company with 2500 employees and fifty-five offices in twelve states and built and owned a fleet of thirteen 600-passenger harbor cruise vessels. This is a grand story, not just about a man, but about the opportunity and promise that America still offers to those with vision and determination. Richard calls it "an adventure in capitalism."

About the Author:

Richard O'Leary grew up in Maine, attended the Maine Maritime Academy in Castine, where he earned a bachelor of science degree. He also completed the Alexander Hamilton Institute's course in Modern Business. He went on to receive a graduate tuition scholarship from Adelphi University where he earned a master in business degree, and was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree from the Maine Maritime Academy.

After service in the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Merchant Marine, he moved to Norfolk, Virginia, and became the assistant general manager of the Norfolk Port and Industrial Authority. In 1972 he founded a new company called Cruise Ventures Inc., that did business as Cruise International and C.I. Travel. Mr. O'Leary retired in 2005 after thirty-four years as CEO and chairman of the board. He resides with his wife, Barbara, in Kennebunkport and Ogunquit, Maine, in the summer and Naples, Florida in the winter.