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In Memoriam: 1949-2023
Co-Founder / Former Owner
Michael Pelissier was born and raised in California and was a true outdoorsmen from a young age. As a young man Michael was passionate about hunting, fishing and ultimately SCUBA diving. His best friend from seventh grade introduced him to the sport in the late 60’s after the era of the TV show “Sea Hunt”. That show along with the, “Undersea World of Jacque Cousteau” made a big impression on Mike and would ultimately shaped his passion that would lead to the creation of his world-wide business.
While Michael was in college he was drafted into the U.S. Navy in May of 1970 and served 2 tours in Vietnam. An amusing chain of events led to Michael, working as the ship Yeoman, issuing his own transfer papers off the USS Lynde McCormick to U.S. Navy Dive School in San Diego, California. Mike would start his grueling Diver Second Class Navy Dive School training in January of 1972 with 125 men. Many training beside him were Navy Seals and Army Rangers with only a few trainees from his fleet. At graduation, Mike was one of the 12 men who made it through graduation.
It was Mike’s Navy diving background that would pave the way for the business he would eventually build with business partner Jerry Peck in 1984. Together, they created a world-wide brand in leading technology for underwater communications from their garages. In 1992 Mike and Jerry won a National Emmy Award for their pioneering of real time audio in film and television on a production called “Expedition Earth, Cocos Island” alongside notable names such as Peter Benchley (author of JAWS). This innovation changed underwater story telling for the film industry forever and put OTS on the map for Hollywood productions. Mike’s hobby and love of underwater videography also landed him as an underwater cameraman and consultant for many T.V. shows and movies during this time. From filming as a cameraman in “When Animals Attack” to setting up communications for hit T.V. shows like “Full House” and “Baywatch” to movies like “Titanic”, Mike was on Hollywood’s A list for support during these years.
The OTS brand continued to thrive and grow with militaries, public safety teams, commercial divers, aquariums, government agencies, and recreational divers around the world. In 2010, Mike’s only daughter, Renee Pelissier Nelson, came into the family business in starting in Sales and made her own mark in the industry. His son-in-law, Andy Nelson, joined the business in 2013 also starting in Sales and currently serves in Marketing, Product Development, and as Boat Captain. Renee became President in 2018 after running operations for several years and worked closely with Mike in many areas. Mike’s wife, Cindy Pelissier, helped in the business in financial and administrative capacities throughout the years and eventually retired from an active role in 2019.
Later in life Mike became an accomplished award winning pistol shooter for 3Gun and IPSC style shooting where he traveled and competed Internationally. He enjoyed vacationing in Hawaii and Halibut fishing in Alaska, spending time with his family (especially his grandchildren) and hobbies such as metal detecting. Michael was a Christian with a strong faith that believed God loved everyone just as much as He loved him and that He was always in control.
Michael stayed active in the business serving on the product development team, the board, OTS boat captain, and was an advisor on OTS history until 2023. On April 24, 2023, at the age of 73, Michael passed away after a short and fast battle with an aggressive and rare bile duct cancer, Cholangiocarcinoma. Mike’s passing sent shockwaves through the industry as another “giant” in the SCUBA industry had passed. Shortly after his passing Michael along with his business partner Jerry Peck were honored with the 2023 Historical Diving Society Pioneer Award for their lifelong contribution to the SCBUA industry. Michael is buried at the National Memorial Cemetery of The Pacific (aka “Punchbowl”) on Honolulu, Hawaii.
His daughter, Renee, continues to lead the business as the President and CEO and is passionate about keeping her father’s legacy and story alive.
During my 45+ years in the SCUBA industry I have been fortunate to meet some absolutely amazing people and many become really good friends. Last night I learned that one of those wonderful people, Michael Pelissier, passed away. It is a profound loss to many.
Back when I started my public safety diving career (in 1980) it was not uncommon to have 3 to 4 public safety diving, line of duty deaths each year. Fortunately, a dedicated group of people thought that was unacceptable and committed money, energy and resources to make a change that has benefitted MANY.
Mike Pelissier was one of those people!
He and his partner, Jerry Peck, worked to develop a reliable and affordable underwater communication system that today is a standard in the industry for both the military and public safety diving communities. No single piece of equipment has been credited with saving more divers lives than the underwater.
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