Paul Worthington — as classically maritime as the tall ships he sailed — looked exactly as a sailor should, and had the seafaring cred to back up every harrowing and hilarious barstool story.
Worthington, who co-founded Key West’s Historic Seaport and the legendary Schooner Wharf Bar with his wife, Evalena, died Aug. 23, 2020 at the age of 72.
A Viking sendoff in his honor took place Dec. 1 in the waters off Key West using a miniature version of a traditional longship, with trademark curves at the bow and stern. The plan was to shoot flames at the replica boat so it burned to the waterline in memory of a seafaring man.
But as the miniature boat capsized pre-flames, several onlookers swore they could hear Worthington’s signature low chuckle as he watched over the proceedings with amusement, pride — and probably a few suggestions for a better outcome on the water.
“Paul was the love of my life, my guiding light, my greatest supporter, collaborator, cheerleader and my best friend,” Evalena said upon his death.
“There was nothing too crazy for us to pursue, and the two of us did it all together, from beginning to end.”
Worthington had already lived a full life on the water in his native New England before arriving in Key West in the mid-’80s, opening one of the island’s most popular and enduring bars and assembling the largest fleet of classic tall ships in Key West. He and Evalena started Schooner Wharf Bar aboard an old schooner docked in Key West Harbor before expanding and moving into its familiar space at the foot of William Street.
“We filled an Igloo cooler with beer and the top drawer of a filing cabinet held the top shelf liquor,” said Evalena. “It quickly became the ‘living room’ of the waterfront community.”
Paul Worthington’s vision was to create a historic seaport district with a focus on classic tall ships and the maritime history of Key West. By 1990, he had attracted the largest fleet of historic schooners on the eastern seaboard and helped redevelop Key West’s working waterfront into the vibrant maritime neighborhood it is today.
At Schooner Wharf Bar, Worthington’s dry wit drew listeners closer for every story. But one of his favorites was the night he had to throw a drunk out of the bar three times. The man kept stumbling back in via various entrances. When Worthington finally and firmly told him to return the next day, the perplexed man asked, “How many damn bars do you own in this town?”
