Rocky Aoki, who created Benihana chain, is dead at 69
 

Al Copeland died in April and now Rocki is gone too.

Rest in Peace Rocki

Sad:(. RIP

It is so sad to read this.... :(

Rocky asked me to help with his Hot Air balloon in Pt Pleasant Beach one year when I was just a kid...

He needed an extra set of hands to hold the balloon away from the flames as it was inflating. Next thing I knew we were up in the air and as the balloon inflated it tightened up. With doing so it pulled me up out of the basket of the balloon. :eek:
With me hanging from the ropes I yelled to Rocky, "I can't hold these much longer!" He turned around and was shocked as much as I was and he told me to let go... I did and dropped back onto the floor of the basket...

That is a memory I will carry with me forever...

God speed Rocky !!!

You will be remembered forever......

Godspeed Rocky
 

You were the one who got many of us here in Jersey hooked on Offshore Powerboat Racing. As a kid I approached Rocky and said to him, "One day I am going to race just like you". Some years later, now being an adult I raced my first Offshore Powerboat Race in Point Pleasant in a 27' Warlock. I was standing on the docks before the race with my parents and friends and Rocky came over and chatted with us and wished us luck that day. My Mom then proceeded to tell Rocky that as a child I told him that I would race one day just like him. Rocky said he recalled the event and my Mom took a shot of the two of us on the dock before the race. This picture is blown up and hangs on the wall of the two of us.

You will be truely missed by many and never forgotten in this area for sure. Thank You for the memories and thank you for the dreams you put in to many kids head of racing one day just like you did.

Dennis P.Tracey

Pulling into the docks after last years Pt. Pleasant Race, Rocky stuck out his hands for a line and tied us up, I was truly honored. RIP
Eddie

a True Honor Point Pleasant 2001

Point Pleasant 1981