Editor’s note: A coronavirus pandemic that saw some of the first cases in the Keys in March changed life in ways no one could have imagined. A checkpoint kept visitors away from the island chain for a time, affecting many jobs, from servers to hoteliers. Policies were changed to address coronavirus spread in the community. Ultimately, the Keys reopened to visitors as workers in the tourist industry returned to work. Each week, the Weekly will highlight a local who spent some time to share their 2020 year. This week, Charlotte Twine met up with Capt. Richard Stanczyk, 75, who is a semi-retired captain and owner-operator of Bud n’ Mary’s Marina.
Describe the year 2020 in one word. Different.
Can you give an example of the moment you realized that it was “different”? The first introduction I had to this, I was actually working. Our business, a sport fishing marina, has a main office. We have accommodations, offshore charter boats, backcountry guides, tackle stores, a dive shop, fuel, dockage, all that kind of thing. We take deposits on trips. We had a guy call who said he wanted a refund because of the coronavirus. I thought there was something wrong with this guy. I thought he was just trying to get out of a fishing trip. We have a policy about refunds. He was quite upset over that fact. I ended up refunding his deposit. That was the first time I became aware that this had potential. That was my first introduction to COVID or coronavirus or pandemic, whatever you want to call it. Probably in March.
What was your worst moment of 2020? It’s not going to be what you want to hear (chuckles). This was absolutely no stress to me. People around me were stressed. Interestingly enough, as COVID shut the Keys, what happened was that I no longer had to deal with the public, and I was able to fish when I wanted to. I had quality time with my family, not having the stress of running the business. This is after 42 years. I had a bit of a cushion. I had less stress about having to worry about 42 boat captains and feeding 15 employees. That would have been my biggest concern. As it turned out, most everybody took advantage of government programs available. Everybody was able to make it to the other side. But maybe we haven’t made it to the other side yet. Everybody’s hoping this vaccine eventually works. … What’s interesting is we had some of the best business we ever had. People wanted to get out of big cities. After the shutdown, it’s been the best summer we ever had. Even now — we’re still going. Traditionally, it’s a slow time. This year it was not the case. The day after Thanksgiving was one of the biggest days we ever had. You couldn’t park on our property.
Do you know anyone who got sick from COVID-19? You’ve seen the movie “Close Encounters”? I’ve heard about a lot of people, but I knew only one in my inner circle. And he got very sick. My brother’s girlfriend’s parents had it. And they got through it with no problem. Fifteen employees and 42 boat captains, 60 families without incident. It doesn’t make sense to me.
Do you know anyone who died from COVID-19? No.
Did you experience financial stress in 2020 due to the pandemic? I did not feel stressed. I just can’t worry about money. It’s not healthy. And the government handed us a lot of money for payroll protection. That really carried us through.
What got you through the challenging year? My boys working 24/7 provided us with a chance to spend quality time together as a family.
Do you practice social distancing personally? I try my best.
Do you practice social distancing at work? I’m basically the bookkeeper now (laughs). I stay in a little office. I go between my boat, office and condo. I would never go in without wearing a mask. We don’t allow anybody in without a mask in the main office.
Do you think the social distancing works? Social distancing is well-advised. Does it work? That’s a hard one. According to professionals I listen to.
Did you notice any physical symptoms from stress? I’m a person of faith. I didn’t experience physical symptoms. I have an extended family, and we all provide one another with a lot of support.
What was your best moment of 2020? It just happened a few days ago. My younger son presented me with a little granddaughter. There was a little stress related to this. My daughter-in-law made four runs to Miami, and she was told to turn away and go home. And on the fifth one, she finally had the baby. We were worried she was going to be born early. But she is okay, and she has a full head of hair. And we caught the biggest fish of my life — a 25-pound snook — yesterday. That was a highlight for me. I got to spend a lot of time in the back country during COVID with my son, Capt. Rick Stanczyk, my older boy.
Did you gain the “Quarantine 15”? Actually, I did gain weight (laughs). And it’s not easy to lose it when you’re my age. I’m a sugarholic, without question. My favorite thing is cake and Snickers bars.
Any further thoughts on 2020? I want to see it in the rearview mirror (laughs). It’s not for me, personally, but I see so many people around me who really are struggling. I’d like to return to some sense of normalcy if that’s possible.
