HORBA sad news

[Top Banana]

HORBA is very sorry to have to report the death of one of our Board members......John Crouse.

He was 79 years old and died of an injury from a fall at home.

Burial was private.

He was a true pioneer of offshore.....may he rest in peace.

[Biggus]

So sad.:( I had the opportunity to do some business with him years back. What an interesting man. He sure was a character.

I was really looking forward to his sequel to Searace.

May he rest in peace.

Kurt

[Buoy]

Wow, very sorry to hear this.
My condolences to his friends and family, and everyone that has worked with him in the offshore community.
I have his book, and when I first got it I was overwhelmed by the information he had documented.
This is a loss to the offshore community.
Godspeed.

[Bobcat]

Sad news indeed, he was the connection to racing for a whole generation of fans, including me ! RIP:(

[Steve2]

OMG...so sorry to hear about his passing. I was looking forward to his long awaited update to his "Searace" book. Well, now Don has some great company - godspeed!

[PARADOX]

Sorry to hear this Charlie. RIP. My condolences.

[NNRT]

A unique guy who had the gift of writing - I often spoke to him at various races years ago - He would always tell such wonderful stories of what happened at races - Rest in peace John !
Phil

[Big Time]

RIP

[Chris]

My copy of SEARACE sits on my desk.

The sport has lost an icon.

Rest in peace John.

[Steve 1]

Wow he was like a fixture to the sport, God speed RIP.

[Davidmnc]

RIP

[Sean Stinson]

RIP Mr Crouse your long conversations were very much appreciated!!!!!

[thedonz]

very sad indeed, Rest In Peace....

[JO - PANTERABOAT]

Great loss and a great writer!
Powerboat mag was never the same without him!
RIP.
pp and fam.

[Ratickle]

Sorry to hear that Charlie. May he rest in peace. I know you spent a lot of time with him. Thank you from us all. It's tough to lose a friend.

Thank you for letting us know.

[phragle]

My condolences.

[DaveP]

Very sad. He was a unique person and his stories were priceless.

RIP John..............God Speed

[JupiterSunsation]

I bought a copy of Searace and he sent it the same week. From his writing it seemed he was in the "thick of it" when legends were being made. That book along with Blue Thunder sit on my desk as I type.

Did he ever finish the sequel to Searace?

[THEJOKER]

I talked to him after a few drivers meetings , what a character is right. RIP

[TGC-32]

Great loss and a great writer!
Powerboat mag was never the same without him!
RIP.
pp and fam.

I agree, "Powerboat" magazine wasn't nearly as interesting after John left. His column would give you a clear impression of what went on at the previous month's races. He really could "paint a picture" with his words. I have a signed copy of "Searace" that now seems a bit more special.

RIP.

Tom Caruso
Total Marine

[DAREDEVIL]

RIP.....so sorry to hear:(

[Magicfloat]

RIP,John.I have heard that the sequel to Searace is finished and just needs a publisher. Maybe some one with the funds can come forward and get it published. Would be a fitting tribute to one of the icons of our sport.

[BRD]

When was John with PBM ?

RIP

[fobes]

Sorry to hear this, Rest in Peace.

[NNRT]

Great loss and a great writer!
Powerboat mag was never the same without him!
RIP.
pp and fam.

agreed !!!

[Sean Stinson]

When was John with PBM ?

RIP

Back in the 80's 90's era.......

[THUNDERBOLT]

May I on behalf of members of the Classic Offshore Powerboat Owners Club
here in the UK offer our sincere condolances to the family at this sad time.

Mike James
COPOC

[T2x]

I knew him well...... Not only was he Don's publicist but he also did publicity work for me at Shadow and Conquest. The funny thing was that he might promote someone's product while attacking their customers' lifestyle or racing technique at the same time. He was truly ornery by nature in a totally unique way. His health had slipped in the past few years, but the fire still burned deeply.

His death marks another turning of the page............

John may you finally find peace and smooth seas........

T2x

[Hauling Trash]

God Speed John

[Bertram38]

RIP
B38

[DaveP]

He was truly ornery by nature in a totally unique way. His health had slipped in the past few years, but the fire still burned deeply.

Agreed............thats what made him so unique.

[BRD]

Back in the 80's 90's era.......

A bit before my time ... I haven't been able to say that much lately . :rolleyes:

[Brownie]

I knew John for more than 50 years. Cantankerous sonofa*****. In the 50's, John was a cub reporter for the Miami News. Dick Bertram, the original publicity monster, invited John to ride in the Miami-Nassau race, in a 30' Chris Craft Sea Skiff, along with the legendary Sam Griffith. John showed up for the "cruise" in a blue suede sport jacket. After they "stuffed" the boat a few times, all of the blue dye in the jacket migrated to John's upper torso, and he was totally bright blue from his wrists to his navel. Lasted about two weeks. John was physically tough, witty, ballsy, honest, and a stalwart friend.

[Top Banana]

Just to give you an idea of who John really was, here is the last story I have from his life.

I spoke with him by phone just a few days before his passing and I asked him where he had been as I had tried reaching him over the weekend and couldn't get through.

His answer...."I was in jail!"

What????

Yes, he said, it seems that one of my dogs kept breaking out of the yard and running away. In the town he lived in, Inverness, Florida, they have a very strict dog ordinance and John had recieved three "tickets" for his dogs bad behaviour. Three tickets that he somehow had forgotten to pay. (John suffered with a mild case of Alzheimers)

One night he hears a loud knock on the door and he opens it, to find three of Inverness's finest police officers there to "bring him in". John tells them as only John could do... what they could do with the tickets and the judge and any other authority figures in the county.

79 years old and giving them a ration of sh** like you would not believe. So, they arrested him and put him in jail over the weekend until Monday, when they had a hearing and he was ordered to pay the fines and an additional fine for the disturbance he caused.

John had four dogs and loved them deeply and would go to any length to protect them. He felt as strongly about many other things too, one of which was offshore racing. We were very blessed to have someone who could write the history of such a great sport in such a detailed way.

May his soul finally rest in peace.

[ChiefApache]

RIP John.

I was able to read his book.

[Scotty B]

RIP John, I am honored to have known him

[Copeland's Phenomenon]

Our thoughts & prayers go out to the family.

[GJL]

I am deeply saddened to hear of Johns passing. I had the privilege of knowing John as a friend for over 40 years. He was truly one of a kind and his work as a journalist and historian of offshore racing has not and may never be equaled.

He well be missed, rest in peace my friend.

George Linder

[Padraig]

Godspeed, John.

I always enjoyed his articles while he was at PBM and his book, Searace resides on an end table in my living room.

He will be missed,

[Tantrum]

Thought and prayers to his family and friends.
RIP John

[shifter]

Sad to hear.

pat W

[Expensive Date]

Sorry to hear.

[nortech4play]

Very sad news...I loved reading his articles and passion for offshore racing....RIP

[Tom A.]

Sad to hear and we are all extremely greatful for his contributions! Thanks for sharing those great stories about him as well!

[shadowcat]

very sad news- another one gone! RIP

[dykstra]

RIP

[RACESDAD]

rest in peace Mr. Crouse.