I sat next to Andy on a plane in Cali. During that flight he spoke with such passion about skating and building Skate parks. I am a surfer from Hawaii and shared my love of the ocean and my island home. We realized we had lots in common: we were both from an island (his Manhattan) mine Oahu and we both found freedom skating and surfing. Long story short, I fell in love with the man. I got off the plane my head spinning and my heart racing, knowing i would never see him agian. Seceretly I prayed I would. When I saw the news of his death it hit me hard. I had only met him once long ago, yet he had a profound effect on my soul. I was not suprised to hear so many people loved him and was really stoked to hear he was surfing.The ONLY regret I have in my life is that I did not make an effort to find him agian. I truly believe we would have been good together. Mahalo (thank you) for letting me express this. I down loaded a picture of him, I keep it at my desk at work (I’m married now) to remind me of what a beautiful man he was.

Aloha,

Maura

A hero’s funeral in Montauk. Surfers give him a send-off paddle out.