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Scott Forbes
A well-liked local charcter, Scott Forbes made his home in Friday Harbor since the days of the Mariner Restaurant, working as a carpenter, house painter, yacht painter, and fisherman (most notably for wrapping a new gill-net around the San Juan Channel marker, as can now be told).
But most of all, Scott was probably the worlds greatest Grateful Dead fan, having attended scores of concerts throughout this nation spanning three-plus decades.
Possessor of a cheerful heart and quick smile, Scott nearly invented what it is to be friendly, to which his multitude of friends will testify. Hard-working, hard-partying, and an incurable boater, Scott was what is referred to as our “charming local color.”
His talents as a fine yacht painter around here were unparalleled, and not to be doubted. Catering to those not light-of-wallet, he did masterful work producing a mirror-esque paint finish on fancy sailboat hulls. (Good backyard mechanic, too)
Additionally, many people had great respect for his mechanical and electrical prowess, and ability to keep any vessel afloat, partly from having been chief engineer aboard the Pamela Jean buyer vessel for the local cannery for two years.
Scottie passed on of unexpected causes in early March, at 56 years of age.
Raised in New Jersey and attending Moorestown High, he and a pal hightailed it to F.H. in 1982 and, like many, never looked for the exit.
A life shipboard throughout the islands was where he settled, enjoying the carefree live-aboard life, highlighted by an occasional shipwreck. Scott is survived by a sister in Ohio. He will be missed by many.
— Friends of Scott Forbes
Neil A. Tarte
May 28, 1927 — February 24, 2014
Neil A. Tarte, of Roche Harbor, joined his beloved wife Margaret on Monday, Feb. 24, at the age of 86 years.
Neil’s love of life, family, and friends was boundless. Neil’s good nature and gracious Northwest hospitality is intertwined with the lives of the many who visited, lived, and worked at Roche Harbor since its inception as a resort. His home was always open, welcoming all who walked through the door with a smile and… yes, if cocktail hour, a martini.
Neil was born, May 28, 1927, in Seattle to Clara and Reuben Tarte. His love of yachting started at an early age, taking a boat with his sisters Mary Lou and Teresa across Lake Washington from his childhood home on Yarrow Point to the Madison Dock to attend Seattle Prep, and later Seattle University, where he met his late wife of 56 years, Margaret Spane.
At 16, Neil started driving for his father’s business, Transport Storage. This was the beginning of his life-long love of the automobile and of his passion for classic cars. Neil was a member of the Classic Car Club of America, and loved tinkering with his cars and sharing his enjoyment of them with others.
Whether it was representing the Lion’s Club in the Fourth of July Parade in Friday Harbor, taking a grandchild out for ice cream, escorting a bride to church, or taking Margaret out on the town to join friends at the San Juan Yacht Club, he always enjoyed being behind the wheel.
City life was not for Neil. He moved his family to Roche Harbor in 1956 together with his visionary parents, sisters, and brothers-in-law following the purchase of Roche Harbor Lime and Cement Co.
In those formative years of what is now known as Roche Harbor Resort, the Tarte family rolled up its collective sleeves with Neil managing the efforts to transform the company mining town into the most popular yachting destination on the West Coast.
The strong family ties to the Seattle and Columbia River Yacht Clubs soon brought the boats cruising north to stop for provisions, a warm meal, cold beverages, and a gracious welcome. It didn’t take long for Neil’s Seattle friends, looking for a summer weekend retreat, to understand what Neil loved in Roche Harbor, the islands and the beautiful cruising waters that surround it. Before long, many of these guests became part of the extended Tarte family of Roche Harbor, with many of their children on the payroll.
As general manager of the resort, Neil guided the building of the moorage docks, airport, roads, pool, condominiums, guest facilities, and with his brother, Dr. Larry Tarte, the tennis courts. Together with his mother, Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel was consecrated, welcoming all guests.
Neil established the enduring culture of guest service and hospitality at Roche Harbor. His real joy was being host to all who visited the Resort. To Neil, the resort and guests were extensions of his home and family.
Neil was most comfortable walking the docks, greeting each guest by name, telling one of his many stories, and enjoying the sunset to the lowering of the flags during the Colors Ceremony which, although initiated by his father, Neil made the enduring tradition that still marks the end of another beautiful day at the place he loved more than words can express.
Neil is survived by his children and their spouses: Sally and Scott Cramer, Georgi and Tom Schuman, Janine and Bob Wells, Neil J. and Janine Tarte, Nancy and Jonathan Rodriguez-Atkatz, Tom and Karie Tarte, Jim and Robin Tarte, 16 grandchildren, one great-granddaughter, and his sisters, MaryLou Halvorson and Teresa Tangney Kennedy.
Services were held in Roche Harbor on Saturday, March 1.
Remembrances can be made to Our Lady of Good Voyage Chapel, PO Box 4335 Roche Harbor, WA 98250. You may share memories of Neil in the online guestbook at www.westfordfuneralhome.com.
— Family of Neil Tarte
Daniel Dennis Martel
August 10, 1941 — February 16, 2014
Denny Martel, a fifth-generation islander and lifelong resident of San Juan Island, passed peacefully on a blustery Sunday afternoon on the island’s west side.
Denny was born in Anacortes, Wash. to Ed and Edith Martel and graduated from Friday Harbor High School with the Class of 1959, his graduating quote, “I find joy in living, Why Not!”
After graduation and before purchasing Martel Well Drilling from his father Ed, Denny worked as a commercial fisherman in Alaska and Washington, a crop duster in Montana, and a switch operator in the Seattle Train Yard, north of Fisherman’s Terminal.
After marrying Kristy Wade in 1972, Denny had two children, Justin Edward and Tara Melissa Martel, and continued to carry on the family well-drilling business.
Denny’s adventurous nature inspired him to summers in Alaska as a fish-spotting pilot for salmon and herring, to the South Pacific as partner and crew in F/V Tucanna, a South Sea tuna long-lining operation, and to the creation of Sonoma Seafood’s fishing tuna off the coast of California and Mexico.
Denny is well known for his aviation skills and has won numerous awards, including holding the record for Super Cub Short Field Landing and Take Off. In addition to aviation, Denny was world traveler, some of his favorite landings being Fiji, Singapore, Australia, and Malaysia.
Ever the sportsman, Denny hunted waterfowl and upland birds all across North America, from Alaska to Mexico and east to the Mississippi River, with his son Justin often accompanying him on these hunting trips.
In his later years, Denny loved to share and inspire adventures with his grandchildren Eve and Ryder Hulse, fishing, flying, and hiking. One of his biggest joys was the time they spent together living on Bailer Hill.
Denny is preceded in death by his parents, Joseph Edward Martel and Edith Bergman Martel, and is survived by his brother Leonard Edward Martel (Pam), his children Justin Edward Martel and Tara Martel Hulse (Marty), his grandchildren, Eve Louis Hulse and Ryder Martin Hulse, and his numerous nieces and nephews.
There will be a celebration of Denny’s life, friendships and love on Saturday, May 17, 2014 at his home on Bailer Hill. Details to be announced at a later date.
— Family of Denny Martel
John William ‘Gramps’ McCutcheon
November 5, 1924 — February 12, 2014
John William McCutcheon “Gramps”, 89, of Friday Harbor, died in his home Wednesday Feb. 12, 2014.
John was the well-known patriarch of a family that spans six generations of islanders. He lived his life surrounded by family and was able to spend his final years in his home on the property he loved, under the care of his children.
He was born Nov. 5, 1924, in Friday Harbor, Wash. He married
the late Wanda McCutcheon on Dec. 2, 1950 and they shared 42 years together raising their four children, and laying the foundation for a very close, tight-knit family.
John’s legacy will always be that of an amazing father and grandfather who committed his life to providing a strong sense of unconditional love and support to his family.
He served in the Army during WWII, in the anti-aircraft battalion in Germany and France, from 1943-47.
His careers included commercial fishing, he supplied wood for the Lime Kiln in Roche Harbor, and later retired from the University of Washington Labs, where he worked in maintenance.
John was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda, son Pat, daughter Dairess and grandson Matt. He is survived by two children: Mark and Kenny, of Friday Harbor and eight grandchildren: Johnny, Amber, MarkE, Dani, Kenneth, Tiffany, Michelle, and Jesse. He is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren and his loving companion, a pug, named “Pug”.
He will be dearly missed by family, friends and the MANY “good ol’ boys” of Friday Harbor.
A celebration of life will be held Saturday, March 1, at the Legion, beginning at 1 p.m.
— Family of John ‘Gramps’ McCutcheon
Richard Christopher DeStaffany
January 24, 1956 — January 29, 2014
Richard Christopher DeStaffany, one of Friday Harbor’s colorful characters, has died of heart disease at the age of 62.
Born to be the center of attention, Chris kept his friends entertained, inspired, and busy with his high ambitions, seldom worrying about details of preparation and follow-up, as he would muddle through on sheer enthusiasm and a few core principles, depending on others around him to fill in what was needed.
After a rustic early childhood on a wooded shore of San Juan Island’s Griffin Bay, Chris began school in 1956 in Chitose, Japan, where his mother could always find him by listening for the commotion around the exotic blond kid. The band at the Air Force base officers’ club honored him by playing “The Yellow Rose of Texas” whenever the family was in for a visit, a distinction he never forgot.
Back in the U.S., Chris acquired a sister, a brother, and another sister, all born in different states as their father’s electronics career took the family all over the country. Three years in British Columbia brought comparative stability and started him in his life-long tea habit.
By 11th grade he was back home again in Friday Harbor, with plenty of stories to tell and a sense that anything was possible. He was active in band and track, and in 1970 graduated second in his class.
At Western Washington State College, he joined the sailing club and developed a passion for British sports cars. He studied business with the idea of becoming an entrepreneur, and soon started his first job as a piano tuner throughout San Juan County. Then he joined in the family business, helping to make the Gourmet’s Galley a going concern.
After college Chris became heavily involved in emergency services. As a volunteer in the Friday Harbor Fire Department he rose quickly through the ranks to become training officer and deputy chief. His unrelenting enthusiasm helped transform the department into a highly motivated, progressive team, proud to strive for the standards of much larger agencies.
He was in the very first EMT class held on the island in 1975, and was one of the top responders in a time when phone-trees served in place of pagers.
Through most of the nineties he was the county’s director of emergency services. He worked at combining his emergency training with his business skills, trying his hand with varying success at sales and service of fire extinguishers, rescue tools, and home medical equipment.
In 1990, friends persuaded him to try out for a role in “Grease.” The theater bug bit him hard—he became an actor, director, playwright, and special-effects guy, sharing his talents with the San Juan Community Theatre, Island Stage Left, and the National Park Service. He was a founding member of the Pig War re-enactors’ group, Battery D.
When he became disenchanted by the pitfalls of being self-employed, he found a way to combine his theatrical nature with his love of being on the road and landed a gig driving the shuttle to Roche Harbor, with a captive audience and a microphone, entertaining passengers with his routine about island living.
Chris found his social niche at Trivia Night at the San Juan Alehouse (later at the Rumor Mill). There, as in his life, he amazed his friends with his eagerness to share rare bits of knowledge, his boundless elation when ahead and his bottomless despair when victory slipped out of reach.
Never married
, Chris was preceded in death by parents Dick and Patricia DeStaffany, and is survived by sisters Cindy and Suzanne, and brother Robert. A public memorial gathering is planned for Saturday the 22 of March in Friday Harbor.
Details will be announced.
— Family of Christopher DeStaffany
Margaret Ann ‘Maggie’ King
March 31, 1929 — January 17, 2014
Margaret Ann “Maggie” King, 84 years young, died amongst her friends, family and caregivers at Hearthstone Adult Care Home at 5:15 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, after a long battle with dementia and the physical deterioration from multiple strokes and seizures.
She was born on March 31, 1929 in Friday Harbor, Wash. to Louise Karen Lovaas King and Carleton Wright King. Her partner, Bette Story, was at her bedside when she passed.
To earn money for college Maggie worked in Friday Harbor at her grandfather’s grocery store, King’s Market, and for her father at King’s Slaughter House where she was the chief gutter. She also worked at the Fish Cannery. She graduated from Friday Harbor High School in 1948, earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master’s Degree in education from Central Washington College of Education and became a Physical Education Teacher and coach.
She taught junior high and high school physical education and health education in White Fish, Mont., and in Marysville and Edmonds, Wash. She retired in 1985 from Mountlake Terrace High School in Edmonds, where she taught and coached for 24 of her 26 years of teaching.
While teaching at Mountlake Terrace High School, Maggie had highly successful coaching seasons in volleyball, basketball, tennis, and track. She also participated on organized sport teams in basketball and softball, and was an avid runner, tennis player, and swimmer.
She was recognized for her fierce fight for equality for girls’ sports in Snohomish County and throughout the Pacific Northwest. In 1980, she was awarded the Seattle Times “Woman of the Year Award” in recognition for her contributions to women’s sports. In 2002 she was inducted into the Mountlake Terrace Hall of Fame.
Maggie is survived by her life partner Bette, her dog Netty and by two sisters, Phebe (Bob) Hirschel of Buckley, Wash., and Mary Jean King of Gresham, Ore., nephews Rawson and Carl (Cheryl) Hirschel, niece Ivana (Perry) Wood of Burlington, Wash., aunt Kathleen Jordan of Bellingham, Wash.
Maggie was preceded in death by her parents, Carl and Louise, her sister Janet, aunts Lynnette, Dorothy, Mildred, uncle Blair (Vi), cousin Roger and niece, Terri.
The family will have a celebration of life event for family and friends at a later date. Memorials may be made to Hospice of the Northwest, 819 S. 13th Street, Mount Vernon, WA 98274, or the Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor, 111 Shelter Rd., Friday Harbor, WA 98250.
— Family of Maggie King
Mona Mary (Strahota) Illig
November 25, 1927 — January 2, 2014
Mona was born in Clyman, Wis., to Joseph and Anna Strahota on Nov. 25, 1927. Mona was the youngest of their four children and was the last surviving.
She met her future husband, Russell Illig, shortly after high school.
Mona moved to Madison, Wis., where she was a fashion model while working in a dress shop. Russ and Mona were married
on Nov. 25, 1948 and left on a perpetual honeymoon to California that lasted for their 65 years together.
In Santa Barbara, Calif., Mona continued her modeling career and worked in a dress shop until her first two children were born. They moved to Palo Alto, Calif. in 1952, where their other three children were born.
Mona was busy raising a family of five children while Russell built his photography career. Mona volunteered and then worked at the Exploratorium Science Museum in San Francisco.
In 1988 they moved to Tualatin, Ore. to be closer to their children. There Mona worked at a retirement home, where she was loved and well respected by her co-workers and the residents.
In 1998 Russ and Mona moved to beautiful San Juan Island. She was an avid bridge player and loved to play at the senior center. She had a love of reading and sewing.
Mona is survived by her husband Russell, her five children, seven grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to your favorite charity.
A celebration of Mona’s life will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church on Friday, Jan. 31 at 11 a.m. The reception will be at the Mullis Community Senior Center following the service.
— Family of Mona Illig
