On July 24, 2020, we received the heartbreaking news that our dear friend and beloved member of the Bocas del Toro community Andy Crawford has passed away.
Sailor, surfer, musician and undeniable force of positivity, Captain Andy Crawford was forever beaming with pure joy and optimism; and you would never know that he was battling a chronic heart condition. After a successful life-saving surgery in 2012, he recovered well and fortunately was able to resume his preferred lifestyle of surfing, sailing and playing music. In 2012 we almost lost you, Andy, and these last 8 years have been a blessing to have you with us.
Many have fond memories of watching Andy perform; especially on his bongos and his steel pan at the Bocas Marina, and with he and Patrick Horton’s group, The Island Time Drifters. He will also always be remembered for his loving relationship with Mother Ocean- surfing all the breaks that beautiful Bocas del Toro has to offer and sharing his love for the sea with so many others as their trusted captain. There is no doubt he touched the lives of everyone he met. Without you Andy, the world would just not have been the same.
Anyone would be hard pressed to meet a kinder and gentler soul than Andy; a lover of life, compassionate, talented, and the greatest of friends to all of whom that were fortunate enough to cross his path. Today the world lost a legendary member of the Bocas del Toro community. We love you, Andy. We will miss you and we will never forget you. We cherish your memory and the time we spent with you.
The Bocas Breeze sends its deepest condolences to the Crawford family and all Andy’s friends in Bocas del Toro and around the world.
Rest in Peace, Captain Andy. We hope you are surfing, sailing and jamming away in eternal glory.
Editor’s note:This was originally published on Facebook on July 24, 2020. Our website was down at the time. We have published it later on our website and backdated it to reflect that day of its original publishing on social media. In September 2020, a paddle out ceremony was held in honor of Captain Andy Crawford, which is documented in this article.
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EN ESPAÑOL
Andrew Crawford, también conocido como el Capitán Andy, vivirá para siempre de todas las muchas vidas que tocó.
Muchos tienen buenos recuerdos de ver a Andy tocar música; especialmente en sus bongos y su tambor metálico en el Bocas Marina, y con él y el grupo de Patrick Horton, The Island Time Drifters. También será siempre recordado por su relación cariñosa con la Madre Mar, surfeando todo que el bello Bocas del Toro tiene para ofrecer y compartiendo su amor por el mar con muchísimos otros como su capitán de confianza. No hay duda de que impactó de buena manera a la vida de todos los que conoció. Sin ti Andy, el mundo no hubiera sido igual.
No existe nadie con un alma más amable y gentil que Andy; amante de la vida, compasivo, talentoso y el mejor amigo de todos los que tuvieron la suerte de cruzarse en su camino. Hoy el mundo perdió a un miembro legendario de la comunidad de Bocas del Toro. Te queremos mucho, Andy. Te extrañaremos y nunca te olvidaremos. Apreciamos su memoria y el tiempo que pasamos contigo.
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