"57"
 

link to http://stevewiencek.smugmug.com/gall...58492675_ecXLT
some photos i took of the race. the gallery is dedicated to "57" friends and family. all photos can be right clicked and are in original resolution. eight bells.

Was away when I got the news, was in the Pocono's with Jack's youngest son Travis celebrating his 8th birthday. His boys are so proud of their Dad and the accomplished racer he was. It makes me smile when I hear them talk about him. After hearing of the accident my heart started to feel that grief that comes from losing a teammate and friend we know it all to well. We are sorry for your loss. Our condolences to the Aero Express Race Team, Phil and Kevin's family and friend's .

For The Love of the Sport,
Howard and Marie
R&S Offshore Racing
F2-19-P3-19-P4-19-419

Last name...

I'm female

Boat race victims remembered at joint funeralBY CARL MACGOWAN | [email protected]
6:55 PM EDT, August 28, 2008
Two men who died Sunday when their catamaran crashed during a boat race on Great South Bay were remembered Thursday as fierce competitors.

During a joint funeral at St. Peter of Alcantara Roman Catholic Church in Port Washington, coffins bearing the remains of Kevin Graff and Philip Dejana sat side by side as relatives described the men as devoted uncles and good friends.

More than a dozen mourners stood in the aisles of the packed church during the nearly 90-minute service.

Peter Dejana said his brother, who was also his business partner, was a "ferocious competitor" both at work and on the water.


"For him, racing was pedal to the metal. There was no other way," said Dejana, 68, of Sands Point. "Phil and Kevin raced on Sunday. They raced to win. They didn't win. They lost. We all lost, big-time."

Dejana, 62, of Bayville, and Graff, 48, of Port Washington, died Sunday when their 37-foot, twin-engine catamaran flipped during the Battle on the Bay powerboat race off Patchogue. The boat was traveling between 90 and 100 mph, officials said.

Suffolk police are still investigating the cause of the crash.

Graff, an electrician, and Dejana, vice president of Dejana Industries, a facilities maintenance company, were friends and golf partners who raced together on the Aero Express Race Team. Dejana was married more than 40 years to his wife, Linda, and Graff was engaged to be married.

"We ought to be celebrating their lives, not mourning their deaths," said Peter Dejana, who called his brother his "lifelong collaborator."

"But for me," he said, pausing to choke back tears, "this is not a time for celebration. ... For me, this is a time for mourning."

Dejana said his brother was a "weather aficionado" who tracked storms on his office computer and helped company employees shovel snow.

"All the workers at Dejana, when it snows, they will miss him," Peter Dejana said.

Graff loved "all things fast," said his nephew and godson, Ryan Roberts, who said his uncle's childhood nickname was "Kevie Boy."

Roberts said Graff was known as "Uncle Candy Man" to his nieces and nephews because he often favored them with sweets.

"He will continue to live through the incredible life that we all shared," Roberts said.

Graff's niece Courtney Steinaway recalled conversations with her uncle in the family's backyard. "You were like a father to me," she said.

Dejana and Graff were buried Thursday at Nassau Knolls Cemetery in Port Washington.

One more thing:

http://www.aeroexpressracing.com/

I am saddened by this news . May God bless and help his family through this .
I met Phil many years ago when he raced a black Chris or perhaps a Shadow Cat .
How can a tragedy like this occur with all the safety technology we now have ?
I'm speechless.

Just to elaborate on one more thing. this website has a guestbook that everyone should check out. while I'm not sure I would think most of PHIL &Kevines loved ones aren't to savy with oso but probably know bout the new site dedicated to AERO EXPRESS Maybe the family can find some comfort knowing they we're part of such a great community of offshore racing. just a thought.

no makin fun of me JC u know i'm stuck on stupid

Very true. They announced the memorial site at the brunch after the funeral service, so all of the family knows about it. Please show everyone the love you guys have shown me. You're the best!!!!!!!!!

D4L if you only knew and I hope u stick around. Besides why are u up so late:rolleyes:

Here is another link to a Guest Book:

http://www.legacy.com/Newsday/GB/Gue...onId=116430455

Kat,

Still writing ? :confused:







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