"So, you are from California. You smoke grass?" I had met Orhan Atasoy that afternoon while walking my dog in the boatyard in Deale, Maryland. We struck up a conversation about going cruising. It was 2005 and Kirby and I were at Herrington Harbor with our sailboat, TOBIAS, getting it ready to cruise. Orhan invited us over for cocktails on his boat that night so that we could talk about cruising. Those were just about his first words to us as we settled into the comfy cabin of his Tayana '37.
We learned yesterday that Orhan passed away last week after battling liver cancer. We will miss him so much. He was one of our "character" friends, so very precious and important to us. Orhan was Turkish. He was a Turkish Rock Star and is on YouTube....you can look him up. (you just won't be able to understand the lyrics to his song.) He had had a very interesting life and loved sharing exciting stories with us.
When TOBIAS was ready to go we decided to make a practice run to make certain that everything worked properly. We headed out into the Chesapeake following Orhan as he sailed "Melody". He lead us to a wonderful anchorage where we tied up together for the night and enjoyed cocktails aboard our boat.
When we decided to sell TOBIAS, he painted the bottom for us after we left because he didn't like the way it looked. He was a true friend - a perfect example of what a friend should be. He was there whenever we needed a hand on the boat or someone to drink a cold beer with. He loved his children and talked of them often.
We miss him.
Update - 6/10/2012 - Follow this link for a recipe from Orhan!
Update - 6/26/12 - Follow this link for more information
How lucky of you to have met Orhan. We miss him dearly as well...
ReplyDeleteOrhan was adorable. Sadly, we hadn't seen him since he left Turkey, but he always was and will be in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteI am one of the luckiest people in the world because I was one of Orhan's closest friends.
ReplyDeleteHe thought me so many things. But most of all he thought me to live life to the fullest way possible without bothering any one. I can say he was my life's mentor. Thanks to him I saw what is essential to live a fullfiling life. I am still under influence of his aura.
And my dear friend Orhan....if you can read these lines I want to say to you that I will always love you. Since the mid seventies our frienship grew stronger and stronger. And the last time I have seen you in Deale Maryland in September of 2008 you looked pale.....when we were saying goodby to each other I kind of sensed that it might be the last time we will be seeing each other. But the news of your passing took all of us by suprise and grief. If there is one thing I want to do to pay you back for all the things(not material)you gave me is to fullfill your dream to travel by boat to the remote islands of the Pacific Ocean. I want your dream to come full circle even dough you are no longer with us. Kendine iyi bak George!
Sonsuza dek arkadasin Mustafa Sav
listen his famous turkish song , it is the best son, thank you Orhan
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iI0D0LVPH1c
I got to know him a bit late. I wish I had listened to him more when I was young. I can't believe someone can sing "gemiler" as passionate as him.Rest in Peace.
ReplyDelete