His years working at the yard were incredible, he said. Those memories and the remarkable people he worked with are why he is fighting to keep the shipyard open a decade after his retirement.

"It’s just easy to get involved in this fight," Scully said. "It’s a family place to work, and it provided for me and my family."

Will his efforts make a difference in the next week and a half when the Base Realignment and Closure Commission determines the fate of the yard?

"I hope so," Scully said during an interview at a diner last week.

On May 13, the U.S. Department of Defense released a list of military installations recommended for closure, including the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which employs more than 4,800.

For the past three months, members of the Base Realignment and Closure Commission have been reviewing the list to determine whether the Defense Department "substantially deviated" from its closure criteria.

The commission is expected to deliberate on the shipyard and the dozens of other installations that were recommended for closure beginning Aug. 24.

Not a day goes by that Scully doesn’t work toward helping the yard by arguing on the shipyard’s behalf.

Capt. Bill McDonough, former commander of the shipyard and spokesman for the Seacoast Shipyard Association, called Scully a "real work horse."

"It’s been hectic, but it’s for a good cause," Scully said.

Scully called his wife a "saint" for putting up with his schedule the past three months.

He said it’s been easy to continue the chaotic battle to save the yard.

"I can see we are making headway," he said. "Plus, I’d like to think that anyone in my position would do the same thing."

No matter the outcome, Scully said he will forever feel a connection to the yard. It has been in his life for more than four decades.

"Today there is a small percent of people going into the work force who will work at the same corporation for 40 years."

By Elizabeth Kenny
ekenny@seacoastonline.com

Editor’s note: This is one in a series of Monday profiles on shipyard workers and their loved ones and how their lives have changed since the Defense Department recommended the closure of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

Ealier Profiles:
John Joyal is at center of rally to save shipyard

McDonoughs´ mission: Keep the shipyard open

Yard closure would scatter local family

Yard a home to vets

Worried yard workers ‘all in the same boat’

Kittery couple sees shipyard work as means to help end world hunger

Shifting his roots

Young shipyard advocate

Welder finds a purpose in life: His job at shipyard

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