Deepwater Horizon rig supervisor
Jimmy Harrell, a supervisor on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig that exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, has died at age 65.
Harrell, who worked for rig owner Transocean, died Monday in Morton, Mississippi. He had battled cancer for a year.
Eleven workers died in the explosion and 134 million gallons of oil spewed into the Gulf, fouling beaches from Louisiana to Florida, killing hundreds of thousands of marine animals and devastating the region’s tourist economy.
Harrell was a key Transocean supervisor on the rig leased by BP. Investigations indicated Harrell had been unhappy with the oil giant’s plans for shutting down the rig. During a May 2010 hearing, he acknowledged disagreements but denied reports that there were heated debates.
At his insistence, a key pressure test that had not been originally scheduled was run. But investigations found that others with Transocean and BP misinterpreted the results. A federal judge eventually ruled BP was responsible for the misinterpreted results, one of the factors resulting in a ruling that BP was grossly negligent and bore most of the responsibility for the disaster.
Harrell’s attorney, Pat Fanning, told WWL-TV that federal prosecutors tried to persuade Harrell to admit some criminal negligence and, as part of a plea deal, testify against two BP rig bosses. Harrell refused.
“I said, ‘Jimmy, you’ll have to go into court and swear an oath and then testify that you were negligent. If you don’t, they’re going to charge you with 11 counts of manslaughter and gross negligence,’ ” Fanning told the TV station. “He prayed over the weekend and said, ‘I can’t do it. I can’t plead guilty and say I did something I didn’t do.’ ”
Harrell was never charged. Two BP supervisors aboard the rig were charged in connection with the test. One pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor pollution charge. The other was acquitted.
The horror of the explosion haunted Harrell for the rest of his life, according to the obituary provided by the funeral home.
“The explosion and loss of his employees and friends and the inferno that subsequently sunk the rig took a massive toll on his psyche,” it said. “He was never the same. When he wasn’t battling heavy bouts of PTSD, he found comfort in his favorite pastimes: hunting and fishing and simply being outdoors.”
It also said fiberglass was embedded in Harrell’s skin following the explosion, and that he suffered health problems for years after inhaling the smoke and gas from the blast.
Funeral services were held Wednesday.
David Siegel
September 22, 1936 - May 12, 2021
Miami Beach, Florida David Siegel passed away peacefully in his Miami Beach home on May 12, 2021, at the age of 84.
David is survived by his wife Holly, daughter Cynthia Siegel, son Michael Siegel, daughter-in-law Joan Siegel, son-in-law Stanley Einhorn, and grandchildren, Tara and Eric Siegel. He is also survived by his sister Estelle Reisner, and brothers Robert and Paul Siegel. He is predeceased by his first wife, Gerry Siegel.
David was born in Troy, New York on September 22, 1936, to Benjamin and Miriam Siegel. Benjamin owned a hardware store in Troy, but due to health issues, the family decided to relocate to Miami Beach. There, Ben selected the perfect site on 41st Street, and opened Central Hardware in 1954.
That same year, David graduated from high school, and joined Ben and his brothers Jack and Bob in running Central Hardware. Ben retired in 1967, and Dave, Bob, and Jack continued to grow the business into one of the most successful independently-run hardware stores in the country. Their success was attributed to personalized service, extensive inventory, and well-trained employees who could not only help each customer find exactly what they were looking for, but also explain how to get the job done properly. David cared deeply about his customers, and made sure that they were treated right, and got what they needed.
As a family, it was always a running joke, but the honest truth was that it was impossible to go anywhere on Miami Beach without someone coming up to David. They would reminisce about working as a teenager in the store, or talk about something they purchased, or just express how much they loved shopping there. Central Hardware was truly a Miami Beach institution.
David would often entertain his family with tales of famous personalities who would come in the store to purchase something. Danny Kaye, the Bee Gees, Angelo Dundee, Stevie Wonder, and Meyer Lansky were among the celebrities who would hang around to schmooze a little while shopping.
After 46 years of serving their customers on 41st Street, David and his brother Bob decided to sell the store in 2000. David retired to enjoy life and spend time with his grandchildren and children.
David married Holly Wallack in 2011, and they had 10 beautiful years together.
Although he never attended college, David placed the highest value on education. Over the years, he taught himself to become a successful stock and real estate investor. He was a quiet and highly principled man, who always tried to do the right thing, and to treat all people with respect and dignity. Not only was he adored by his family, but by his employees as well. He was well ahead of his time, particularly for the retail industry, by instituting free health care for all his employees and a generous profit sharing plan that helped his long-time employees retire comfortably when Central Hardware was sold.
In retirement, David remained actively involved in the Miami Beach community. He was an avid supporter of the arts, and sat on the board of the Miami Beach Botanical Garden. As a volunteer with SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), David enjoyed sharing his sharp business acumen. He loved to travel, ski, and garden.
A private graveside funeral service is scheduled for noon on Sunday, May 16th at Lakeside Memorial Park, 10301 NW 25th Street, Miami, FL 33172, 305.592.0690.
If attending please bring a face mask and umbrella; social distancing will be expected.
The service will be accessible on Zoom.
https://zoom.us/ j/93725032643?pwd=aStsaWloaG9KVnMrcWc4MDFiT0dhQT09
In lieu of flowers, a donation in David’s name to Temple Beth Sholom is warmly appreciated.