A word from Zorro

Larry sent out this email and asked me to post it here as well.

Subject: RE: Our loss
Date: Mon, 17 May 2010 04:12:08 +0000

To all of you who either called, emailed or in person expressed their condolences and offer support on the tragic loss of Marty, thank you very much.

I would especially like to thank Bob Miller and his wife Christy, Carol Anne and Pat Byrnes, Rick Keffer, Dave Ampleford, Ron Crom, Rich Strasia, Dan Holden and Barb and Trent for the support and love they showed on that Saturday night and days that followed.

I would also like to thank and commend Jon Pillars' son, Jarred, for his heroic attempt to save Marty.

Marty had sailed with me for 9 years and was the core and strength of Team Constellation. Since that time we met 9 years ago, Marty has been club champion in either the Performance Fleet or the Etchells class for all of those 9 years; he has also won numerous regattas aboard his beloved "Windependent." Marty had not only won international regattas in the Caribbean, but also competed, with success, at the highest level of competition in the Etchells class on Constellation. Much more important than all of this, he was a loving and devoted husband and father, a PhD. Marty had a very successful professional life.

I always thought of my time with Marty as "the pleasure of his company," for it was truly a pleasure to be with him. In a time when the world can be not a very nice place, Marty was a rare gem.....a truly nice man, loyal, genuine and sincere. I loved him like a brother and will always treasure the time we had together. I will miss him dearly.