On the morning of October 31, 2009, 5 vessels, with approximately 80 people aboard, left the Royal Palm Yacht Club to take part in the Burial at Sea Ceremony for a beloved member and Past Commodore.  On board the M/V Auburn, captained by Holly Skubic, was the family of PC  James  K. Thomas  along with his long-time companion, Marge Leonard.   Under bright blue skies and a gentle breeze the captains guided their boats into position for the ceremony held on San Carlos Bay.  Finally, with each boat’s stern facing the Auburn, the group of family members and close friends gathered in solemn tribute and bade goodbye to Jim as his 2 sons and daughter gently committed his cremains accompanied by a floral wreath into the waters leading to the Gulf of Mexico.

     At the conclusion of the ceremony, the passengers of each boat scattered rose petals over the waters and each boat slowly circled the ceremony site before returning to the Royal Palm Yacht Club for a reception luncheon and Celebration of Life hosted by the family.

     In addition to the Auburn, the vessels participating in the ceremony included Interlude, captained by PC Robert Minahan, The Bandit, captained by Capt. Ron Everson,  YKnot, captained by Commodore Charles Williamsen, and Dee Light, captained by Capt. Jon Market.  The ceremony was coordinated with the family and presided over by PC Roland (Lars) Larsen.

by  Carol Sutliffe