communityspotlight
A Life View
from the Crow’s Nest
John Puig, philanthropist of time,
talks about his life’s adventures
by linda Sechrist
J
ohn Puig’s life path has been shaped began with ECHO (Educational Con-
When he’s not teaching
by the elements of water and wood. cerns for Hunger Organization) in Ft.
Childhood days spent sailing the Myers.
and planting the future
waters of Lake Hopatcong and combing “I wanted something more mean- locally, Puig is busy applying
the forest of Green Acres, a New Jersey ingful in my life than a business,” he
his knowledge of waste and
state park, set in motion the course of explains. The “more” turned out to be
an adult life underscored by personal the rewards issuing from long hours
water management, organic
freedom. After studying meteorology at of volunteer work, bearing fruits that
gardening and sustainability
The Bronx at State University of New honor the sustainability of Earth and the
York Maritime College, the nation’s future of our children.
at an orphanage in the
oldest commercial nautical institution, Dual professions as a boat captain
Bahamas.
Puig set his sights on the open sea and and mechanic (converting engines from
sailed as an officer with the Merchant diesel to biofuel) now provide Puig with
Marines for four years. an income to pay for the roof over his has made all the difference in his own
Puig continually traveled the in- head, while freeing up time which he life and countless others. Reflecting as
ternational shipping lanes to Africa and donates to his other labors of love. Cur- only a veteran salt can, from the per-
Israel on cargo ships and oil tankers rently, he volunteers as vice president spective of a crow’s nest, he observes,
until a shipping injury forced him to of the Collier Fruit Growers Council, “I make a living doing what I love,
leave commercial sailing behind. Then captains boats for the Freedom Waters because I believe that it’s the only way
he moved to Naples, where he spent Foundation, and plants fruit trees and to be.”
time healing the nerve damage in his butterfly gardens at local schools. Re-
partially paralyzed left hand. cent beneficiaries include Calusa Park
ECHO is a nonprofit, interdenominational
“I abandoned conventional medi- Elementary, The Village School and East
organization located on a demonstration
cine and meditated on accountability, Naples Middle School.
farm in North Ft. Myers. It helps those
healing and acceptance, for a period of When he’s not teaching and
working internationally with the poor to
serve them more effectively, especially in
years,” says Puig “and today, I have full planting the future locally, Puig is busy
the area of agriculture. For information,
use of my hand. That period of my life applying his knowledge of waste and
visit Echonet.org or call 239-543-3246.
opened me up to new possibilities and water management, organic gardening
real understanding of my true poten- and sustainability at an orphanage in
Freedom Waters Foundation is a non-
profit, 501(C)3 organization that provides
tial.” the Bahamas. Initially, he intended to
boating opportunities and marine-related
An entrepreneurial spirit unfurled focus on caring for the orphanage’s fruit
education for people with disabilities
Puig’s potential and served him well tree orchard, but in the process un-
and youth at risk. For information, call
in the creation of several businesses: covered an obstacle: a lack of potable 305-588-2082 or 239-601-2919 or visit
Collier County Marine Canvas, Bristol water. He couldn’t go forward until he’d FreedomWatersFoundation.org.
Fashion Yacht Management, Naples solved that problem. “Now, I’m rebuild-
Naples Biofuel Organization upgrades
Biofuel Organization, and now, a part- ing their entire water system, which is
existing diesel-powered vehicles to run
nership in the Freedom Waters Founda- mostly based on rainwater collection,” on 100 percent vegetable oil (SVO). For
tion. advises Puig. “It’s the first time I’ve had information, visit NaplesBioFuel.com,
Success in his first business, to ask for financial support, because the
email CaptJohn@NaplesBioFuel.com or
Marine Canvas, has afforded him the project is so big.”
call 239-602-2919.
opportunity to volunteer, a role that The master of his fate and the cap- For information on the Collier Fruit Grow-
continues to grow in importance and tain of his soul, Puig has sailed a course
ers Council, visit CollierFruit.org or email
now consumes most of his days. Puig less traveled for 36 years now, and that
CaptJohn@NaplesBioFuel.com.
August 2008 
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