Aaron Bocknek -- 1960 to 2016

[WayWeGo]

I didn't know Aaron personally, but from this forum, it is clear that he is one of the people who have made it a very special place. The world feels a diminished to me, knowing that Aaron is no longer with us to share his friendship and knowledge. RIP

[Stripermann2]

Wow, this is very sad news indeed. I had the pleasure of meeting Aaron a few times as well as at the Annapolis boat show. We exchanged texts, emails and phone calls over the years. He would offer anything, to anyone who simply asked.

He may be gone but not forgotten. RIP Aaron.

[BarryL]

Sad to hear...

RIP Captain.

I will say this. This Forum and Boaters in general share a love of being on the water, sharing their experiences, their knowledge and their love of all things boating.

In that Sense Aaron was a Boaters Boater. He will be missed. How is it that the passing of a man you have never met can bring a tear to your eye and make you reflect on your own mortality...

Barry

[Big D]

....How is it that the passing of a man you have never met can bring a tear to your eye and make you reflect on your own mortality....

I think I can relate to that. We have such a good bunch on this forum that it's pretty easy to feel a personal bond with everyone even though most of us have never met. We've shared so much and helped each other out with no expectations of getting anything in return so good impressions are easy to come by here. When one of us parts ways, you can't help but feel a loss. That makes this such a special place because of the people/crew we have. Can't say that about any other forum I frequent.

Thanks for sharing Aaron.

[larryeddington]

+++ Big D

[willietrojan]

Sad Sad news!!
Always enjoyed his contributions to the forum, and it was nice to meet him at the St Michaels rendezvous

He will be missed

[MattSC]

Very sad news. he will be missed, Rest in Peace

[P-Dogg]

Thought that I'd forward the latest that I know about Aaron.....

Email from the marina:




I am sad to share with everyone that one of our Parkside family members has passed. Aaron Bocknek has been fighting a courageous battle with cancer. Aaron had most recently been hospitalized the end of May through the 31st of July before returning home to Hospice care. Aaron passed peacefully on Sunday, 9-11 around 9:00 a.m.

I spoke to Brad Knopp today regarding arrangements. Aaron wished to be cremated. Arrangements have still not been firmed up but will take place at Murphy’s Funeral home in Falls Church VA. Brad expects the details to be viewable on Murphy’s web site soon.

http://www.dignitymemorial.com/murphy-f ... index.page

Brad shared that they are deciding on a charity that Aaron would have wanted to support to accept donations in lieu of flowers. We will miss Aaron’s warm and friendly personality and his down to earth nature. Our prayers are with his family and friends as they move through this difficult time.

Aaron will be deeply missed!

[TrojanYachtDotCom]

Wow - I just joined this forum yesterday, and planned to reach out to Aaron to thank him for so much of the historical information I've learned about my boat and the brand from posts that he put up years ago. So much insight across these forums, I am glad that there was a place for him to share his knowledge that will be permanently archived for future Trojan boaters to find. RIP.

[WayWeGo]

Info from Murphy's:

Visitation will be on Saturday, September 24, 2016, from 3:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Murphy Funeral Home
1102 W Broad Street
Falls Church, Virginia

[RickTucker]

Hello, I only knew Aaron in recent years, and very much enjoyed his panorama of life.

On Sunday I posted just a couple of photographs I took of Aaron from a couple of years ago at https://www.facebook.com/ricktucker/pos ... nref=story .

I wish to collect photographs of Aaron to print and/or to be displayed at Murphy's Funeral Home next Saturday and at any subsequent memorial events.

His brother Larry has sent me some. The photographs already posted to this forum are very nice, and I wish to use them as well to honor Aaron in the memorial events.

If you have any other photographs of Aaron and your memories with him, please post them to this forum and/or email them to me (in the best resolution you have) to RickTucker@alum.mit.edu.

Thank you.

- Rick

[RWS]

Rest In Peace, Brother.

Over the years, Aaron brought a lot to this forum.

On MANY different levels.

I believe his love of boating, and the joys he shared did help to ease his pain.

Godspeed to you Aaron Bocknek, as you drop anchor for the last time.

May you find the eternal peace and serenity being on the water always granted.

RWS

[prowlersfish]

Full Obituary

Aaron Bernard Thomas Bocknek, 55, of Alexandria, Virginia passed away on 11 September 2016 after a long battle with cancer. Mr. Bocknek, born in Washington, DC on October 16, 1960, a son of Dr. Mendel Bocknek and the late Fondalee Bocknek. After graduation from McLean High School, he attended Radford College and transferred to James Madison University where he was a member of the Marching Royal Dukes. While studying at JMU, he participated in a studies abroad program for a year in London. He graduated from JMU in 1985. Mr. Bocknek worked in the commercial aviation field throughout his life, serving principally as a flight attendant. He worked for many airlines, including Eastern, Piedmont, World, US Air, and finally the US Air side of American Airlines. He was well known and well liked by his peers and especially junior flight attendants for whom he served as a mentor. He was also passionate about his beloved Boston Terrier, Maccabee.

Aaron was equally passionate about his boat, his beloved 36 foot 1982 Trojan Tri-cabin named Enterprise, and his friends at Parkside Marina in Middle River, Maryland. Aaron thought of Kathy, Mike, Camille, Joe, Shannon, Fred, Gregg, Perry and others as part of his family, people who supported him through his first cancer treatment.

Aaron is survived by his father, Dr. Mendel Bocknek, brother Larry Bocknek and sister Cheryle Deacon (Doug) and 5 nieces and nephews as well as his partner through his illness, Brad Knopp. During his illness, Aaron was particularly grateful for several very close friends: Matthew Murchio, Jacob Lutterman, Paul Lazarr, and David Haser.

A gathering of friends and family will be held from 3-6 pm on Saturday, 24 September 2016 at Murphy's Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia. A private interment will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations to one of the following organizations would be greatly appreciated:

Bill Posey Scholarship Endowment Fund 25692
James Madison University
Office of Annual Giving
MSC 3603, 220 University Blvd.
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

Life with Cancer
8411 Pennell St.
Fairfax, VA 22031. In the memo line of the check they can write "In loving memory of Aaron Bocknek." (The other option is to donate online at www.lifewithcancer.org\donate and in the comments field the contributor could put the same note as on the memo line of the check.)


Arrangements under the direction of Murphy Falls Church Funeral Home, Falls Church

[P-Dogg]

Being relatively local, I plan to attend Saturday's event. Anyone who is interested is invited to meet for a cold beverage and a bite to eat afterwards. Send me a PM.

[P-Dogg]

We have a quorum. We'll be meeting at Irelands Four Provinces http://www.4psva.com/ at call it 6:30 Saturday evening. More details to follow.