Richard Daniel O’Leary, a retired businessman and entrepreneur in the shipping and travel industry who was raised in Auburn, recently self-published his memoir, “One with the Sea.”

Born the only son of an Irish immigrant, O’Leary’s love of the sea since a young child led him to attend the Maine Maritime Academy. He was a naval and a Merchant Marine officer and served as second officer on the SS United States at age 25. He went on to become commandant of midshipmen at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, N.Y., for five years. Following that, he was assistant general manager of the Norfolk, Va., Port Authority, operating the airport and cruise ship terminal.

O’Leary is recognized as the leader in bringing large cruise ships into most East Cost mid-Atlantic ports, In 1972, he founded his company, Cruise International/CI Travel , headquartered in Norfolk, serving as president for 34 years.

The company also built, owned and operated a fleet of 14, 600-passenger harbor cruise ships located in major ports throughout the United States. They are still operating today.

Of Ireland, O’Leary writes, “It is one of the most unusual and beautiful spots on the earth and until very recently almost unknown to tourists.”

“I feel the most unusual aspect of the country is her people,” he continues. “They are a people who have survived a history of oppression with an identity intact. I think it safe to say that you will find it recorded many places that the people are warm and charming with an incomparable wit. They love to talk and their use of words and language has enriched life generally.”

O’Leary’s rag-to-riches story won an honorable mention at the 2011 New England Book Festival. The book is available at local libraries, Amazon.com and Onewiththeseabook.com.

O’Leary lives with his wife, Barbara, and their two poodles in Ogunquit and in Naples, Fla.