Paula Fulton

After a long illness, Paula "Polly" Janssen Fulton passed away at her home on July 27, 2018. She was 75.

Polly is preceded in death by her husband, Captain Charles "Whitey" Fulton; and survived by her three children: Kean, Marnie and Rodney, and her five grandchildren.

Polly was born October 19, 1942 in Darby, PA, to parents Joseph William Sr. and Paula Quinn Janssen. Polly grew up in and around Wilmington, DE with her brother Joseph Janssen, Jr. In 1960 she graduated from Padua Academy before going on to study fashion design at Chestnut Hill College. Although the family owned a business, Janssen's Market, founded by her father, that was not where her destiny would lay. At the age of 20, in Margate, NJ, Polly met her soul mate and partner for life, Captain Whitey Fulton of Miami, FL. They married in 1964 after Polly received her bachelors degree from Chestnut Hill College.

Together, Whitey and Polly were an amazing team. Whitey was a sport fisherman and Polly an entrepreneur. In the early 70's, together, they opened two fish markets, Fulton Fish Markets, in Broward County Florida; all while raising their three young children. They recognized an opportunity in the burgeoning yachting industry which would optimize Whitey's boat knowledge and Polly's business savvy. Polly was a pioneer in the yachting industry - in 1977 she became one of the first state licensed yacht brokers as well as the first female yacht broker in Florida. She began her brokering career with Bill Dunne Yacht Brokerage, then moved to Bradford Yacht Sales where, for over 5 years, she was one of their top brokers. Later, Polly and Whitey founded World Class Yachts with an eye on the international market. During this time, Polly worked with Fort Lauderdale Mayor Bob Cox and established a relationship with the Italian yacht builders of Viareggio, Italy, introducing them to the South Florida market. During the 1983 America's Cup, Polly and Whitey hosted the Australian yacht builder, Lloyd Ships, importing two 105 foot yachts for the legendary race off Newport. Polly was right in the thick of yachting history when the Australian team upset the Conner's American team with their controversial hull design. While continuing to sell boats, Polly and Whitey went into a partnership on a 134 foot yacht to charter in the Caribbean, offering amenities that were before their time, like spa services.

Polly and Whitey traveled extensively around the world often inviting family and friends to join them and share in their adventures. After Whitey's sudden death in 1995, Polly's passion for the yachting industry waned and she wound down her interest in World Class Yachts. In her later years, she focused on spending quality time with her children and grandchildren: Charles Kean Fulton, his wife Amy and their children, Charles Tucker and Sawyer David; Paula Marnie Fulton; and Rodney Dean Fulton, his wife Kenia and their children Madison Quinn, Kayla Isley Andrade, her husband Steve Andrade, and Jade Isley. Polly also enjoyed spending time with her brother, Joseph W. Janssen Jr., his wife Eileen Franz and their children and grandchildren; her stepbrother Wayne O'Melia and his wife Laurye Blanchard and his children and grandchildren; and stepsister Patricia (O'Melia) Ingram and her children and grandchildren.

Even from a young age, Polly was very social and loved being the center of attention. She cherished the friendships she made over her lifetime. She wanted everyone around her to have fun and be happy. Polly was the life of any party. She was grateful for all of the love she was given, the opportunities taken, and adventures shared. Her distinctive laugh will echo in our hearts forever.

A Celebration of Polly's life will be held mid-October 2018. For more information contact [emailprotected] Donations may be made in Polly's name to the American Heart Association and the Humane Society of Broward County.