July 27, 2015

"I'm so very sorry to inform you of another local sailor that has passed from our sight," writes Synthia Petroka, a former crew member for Tom Baffico, who died on Monday, July 20. "He was diagnosed with a brain tumor about a year and a half ago. He was doing okay until a few days before he died. There will be a memorial service next Friday, July 31, at 1:00 p.m. at the Allied Arts Guild in Menlo Park. There are also plans for a memorial some evening about a month from now at the St. Francis Yacht Club."

Tom Baffico, Nick Burke and Synthia Petroka on The Maker. ©2011 Sergei Zavarin/ultimate-yachtshots.smugmug.com

"Tom's wife and family would be pleased to have his sailing acquaintances in attendance. Tom was a well liked and well respected skipper in many fleets over the course of his life, including the Open 5.70, Express 27, Snipe, and El Toro as well as collegiate racing at UC Berkeley."