paladin
12-14-2009, 04:29 PM
It is with deep regret that I have just been informed of the passing of a great sailor.....Francis C. Stokes, Jr. passed away on Aug. 3, 2008. He was 82. Francis retired from the family business in New Jersey and became involved in a Yacht brokerage in Annapolis. He bought his first sailboat in 1968. He crossed the Atlantic solo in 1970, and competed in the OSTARS in 1976, 1980 and 1988. He did the Bermuda One-Two with his son. But it was another race where I became involved with him. I sailed for a while with him and a new boat while learning the feel and handling quirks of his "Moonshine". He sailed in the first (1982-83) B.O.C. challenge and finished second in class, after which he wrote about the trip in "The Moonshine Logs". He wanted to run another race, but rumor has it his wife of 56 years threatened to sink the boat.....Francis was a gentleman of the first caliber.......
Hal Roth passed away Oct. 18, 2008, he was 80. I met Hal and his lovely wife aboard in St Michaels a few years ago. We chewed the fat for about an hour and a half....he was the one that started with the idea of me writing a book....maybe one day. Another great loss to the community.
Hal Roth passed away Oct. 18, 2008, he was 80. I met Hal and his lovely wife aboard in St Michaels a few years ago. We chewed the fat for about an hour and a half....he was the one that started with the idea of me writing a book....maybe one day. Another great loss to the community.