Russell Hanscom's family has ties to the OCYC dating back to the 1920’s when his great grandfather built a house across from the club.  Through the generations the Hanscom’s were involved in power boating, mostly speed boat racing.  His father was a Utility Class National Champion in the late ‘40s. His grandfather participated in the predicted log events in his cabin cruiser, Taffy.

On his mother’s side, membership with OCYC started with his grandparents.  The McKenna’s were active sailors at the club.  In the winter they went to the Bahamas on their sailboat, Pirouette.  Russell would spend time with them being home schooled while cruising the islands.  Both the Hanscom’s and McKenna’s lived on the bay so boating, and water sports, became a large part of Russell’s life.

Russell learned how to sail on a Sailfish then moved to Laser,110, J24 and a Lightning. Currently, Russell enjoys participating in Predicted Log events, the Sporting Clay Shooters and offshore and bay races.     

Russell has served three terms on the board of governors. During this time his committee positions included the Semaphore, serving as Financial Secretary and, most recently, as the Friday Night bay racing chairman. 

Professionally, Russell works in the financial services industry.  He is an Accredited Wealth Management Advisor and is the Director and Investment Program Manager at a financial services provider. When not at work or at the shore Russell spends time working with the Chester County Open Land Conversancy, biking and taking hikes with his dogs.       

Russell met his wife, Cindi, on their first day at Eastern college.  Cindi crewed on his 110 and J24. On and off the water Cindi is his tactician on the boat and in life. 

Their primary home is in Malvern where they live with their dogs.  They have two grown children, Courtney and Rachel.  Courtney and Rachel were both sailing instructors and are currently intermediate members of the club. You will see them, and their spouses, on the racecourse on Friday nights. They represent the fifth generation of Hanscom’s at OCYC.  

John James Parker was born and raised in South Philadelphia. John attended Central High School and Franklin & Marshall College graduating with a BS degree in accounting. He later attended Penn’s Wharton School for two years obtaining a Senior Management Certificate. John retired from Verizon after 36 years in various corporate accounting and financial operations positions.

He met his wife, Eleanor, in 1969 when she worked at the College Grill on the boardwalk. They celebrated their 53^rd wedding anniversary last June. They moved to OC in 1975 where they live year-round. John and Eleanor have two children, Lisa who lives in Havertown, PA with her family, and Ryan who lives in Annapolis with his family.

John has spent all his summers in Ocean City, NJ, where his love for sailing began. At a young age, John learned to sail at the Hobby Haven Sailing School in OC. He first taught sailing at the OCYC for Abbott Boat works on Sunfish, then on Lightnings at the Hobby Haven school for three years. John crewed for his aunt and uncle, PC Dr. George & Peaches Glenn, for many years until he purchased his first Lightning in 1972. He has raced Lightnings at OCYC for 54 years with his wife, Eleanor, his children, his sister, Carol, and numerous OCYC youth members serving as crew over the years.

John joined OCYC in 1965 as a junior member. He was first elected to the OCYC Board of Governors in 1978. He has held many Board positions and became OCYC’s Commodore in 2001, OCYC’s 100-year anniversary. He has since been the OCYC Heart Cup Regatta chairperson for five years (’03 to ’07) raising $335K for SMH, taught an Advanced Junior Sailing and Adult Sailing class for ten years (’08 to ’17), Budget Chairperson for 12 years (’09 to ’21), and is currently the Financial Review (Audit) chairperson, and now Vice Commodore for one year.

Besides sailing, he and his wife enjoy golfing, bridge, quizzo and other events with their friends at OCYC!

Also, John has been highly involved with the Ocean City Sailing Foundation (OCSF) located at the OC Bayside Center which provides weekly sailing lessons to youth and adults since its inception in 2008. The OCSF was founded by OCYC PC Harry Bellwoar.