This page is dedicated to Commodores and AYC members who volunteered endlessly during their time with AYC. May they forever be remembered for their friendship and the contributions made to our Club and the sport of sailing. Fair winds and following seas!
Submissions: If you learn of the passing of an AYC member, please us so that we may include the information on this page. Send obituaries or their digital links to Information@arizonayachtclub.org
Donald Alverson (1927-2013) Commodore 1986-1987. Life member, joined in 1977 . Public obituary.
Ruth Beals (1918-2010) Founded AYC in 1958
Public obituary. Website post – AYC’s Founder: The Unsinkable Ruth Beals
Robert Ball (1944-2020) Commodore 1977-1978. Life member, joined in 1973.
Public obituary.
Frank Bigelow (1931-2011) Commodore 1989-1990, and Life member, joined in 1959.
Website post: Eight Bells – Farewell Frank Bigelow.
Gene Carapetyan (1942-2003) Commodore 1978-1979.
Remembering Gene, Los Angeles Times Article
Don DeFreze (1930-2019) Life member, joined in 1967.
Public obituary. Website post – Passing: 50-Year Member Don DeFreze.
Mike Ewens (1946-2020) Life member, joined in 1980.
Public obituary. AYC Eight Bells Tribute.
Charles Fife (1945 – 2022) Commodore 1990-1991, and Life member, joined in 1985.
AYC Eight Bells Tribute. Alfa Romeo Tribute page.
Ray Gazzera ( 1930-2020) Life member, joined in 1992. Public obituary.
Ricky Gilchrist (1953 – 2020) Life member, joined in 1988.
AYC Eight Bells Tribute. Video of Eight Bells Ceremony at Lake Pleasant.
Devon Howe (1961-2025) Commodore 2024-2025. Joined in 2023. Public obituary.
AYC Eight Bells Tribute.
Ed Huntsman (1952-2024) Joined AYC in 2019. Served on AYC Safety Committee. US Sailing Eight Bells Tribute.
Joe Laux Jr. (1947-2020) Commodore 1987-1988 and Life member, joined in 1983.
Public obituary. AYC Eight Bells Tribute.
Dennis Martinelli (1959-2013) Commodore 2004-2005, joined in 1997.
Public obituary. Sail on Sailor – memory video by David Spira.
Tom Ohlin (1936-2020) Commodore 1983-1984 and Honorary Life member, joined in 1979.
Public obituary. AYC Eight Bells Tribute.
Kristina (Tia) Renshaw (1946-2026) Commodore 1995-1996. and Distinguished Life member, joined in 1989. AYC Eight Bells Tribute. Public obituary.
Joe Rowe (1929-2011) Commodore 1969-1970. Founding and Life member. Public obituary
Jim Swartz (1940-2010) Commodore 1985-1986. Life member, joined in 1974. Public obituary.