Jamaica Bay Forum

[mfriedenthal]

I wonder if any members of Deep Creek Yacht Club remember my father, Leon Friedenthal? Dad died on Thanksgiving Day, 2007. He was 78 at the time of his death. He kept his boats here at the marina for many years.

His first boat was a 16-foot Comet racing sloop, and his 2nd was a 29-foot Palmer Johnson (1 of 6 built). It was called the "Melody Caprice".

Dad died in Costa Rica. I had him cremated and shipped to me in MA, and on Sunday, July 19th, 2009, I drove down to the marina with the intent to spread his ashes on the waters he loved to sail. I hoped to find a sailor at the yacht club who would be willing to take me out into Jamaica Bay but if I couldn't I was prepared to find a secluded inlet and do it there.

But I didn't have to - just as I entered the marina parking lot I came across Yach Club member Mike Foley, a stranger to me. I told him about my father and asked him if he would be willing to help me.

Mike immediately agreed, said it would his honor. We boarded his 26-foot sailboat and putted into the middle of Jamaica Bay. I tried to open the urn but it was sealed. My tiny Swiss Army knife couldn't open the seal. Mike's larger knife didn't make any headway either so in the end I dropped the urn into the water.

Mike took some pictures with his cell phone and recorded the exact position on his GPS for me - a wonderful, sweet, thoughtful gesture.

Thank you, Mike, for everything!

I would be interested to hear from anybody who remembers my father. His personal burgee was a visual pun of our last name: "Friedenthal" means "peaceful valley" and the burgee showed two mountains with a valley between, a dove of peace flying overhead.

Thank you,
Melody Friedenthal
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Melody Friedenthal