Oct 22 2007
News from Buffalo, NY – Great Lakes Center captain dies while diving
While not Peregrine, Raptor or bird related this is a sad time for those of us in the Buffalo/WNY area. We have lost an energetic conservationist, advocate and spokesman for the Great Lakes and NY water ways. Capt. John, we hope and pray that your legacy will continue in all you have touched throughout your brief time with us.
The Great Lakes (and water ways) of Buffalo and Western NY mourns the loss of a dedicated individual: “John J. Freidhoff, lead boat captain and field station manager for Buffalo State College’s Great Lakes Center for Environmental Research and Education, died Friday while scuba diving in Lake Ontario near Brockport.” {More of the Buffalo News story here}
Nick and I both had the the honor of working with Capt. John at different times. Many of us on the Buffalo State College Campus are in shock at the news that he will no longer be with us – it’s hard for us to think that a man so full of life, energy, passion, and dedication can be taken from us so quickly. Everyone who had the opportunity to spend any time in his company soon realized that he loved this city and this region, it came through loud and clear, and he took joy in sharing his knowledge with all who would listen and learn.
It’s a very special person who can touch so many lives so effortlessly and leave such lasting impressions – Capt. John was one of those unique individuals. May his legacy live on in all of us. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to his family at this time.
Normally this would be where I would send out a “Fly Free” statement/prayer, but for Capt. John, instead I share these clunky, but personal words: “Guide and captain your ship through the calm, the waves and the currents. Sail on and rejoice in foggy mists of spring mornings, bitter gray cold and ice of a winter day, murky choppiness of fall and blue, glassy calm of summer days . Celebrate the lakes and the rivers and all they give us. They hold many mysteries and stories in their cold depths. They share with us a pulse that some will never know or appreciate, but one that beats endlessly in the bodies, hearts and souls of those who have lived on the wild waters edge.”
2 Responses to “News from Buffalo, NY – Great Lakes Center captain dies while diving”
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So sorry. It is always a great loss when someone dedicated to conservation passes on. Hopefully there are enough of us that can honor their work by being devoted conservationists also(even in a small way)
May the memories of Captain John be sweet and his work continue by others. We often do not get to really know some folks who work with environmental issues of all kinds. May his family know that we care.