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Sailing News
Gary DeSantis, 59,
Sailor's World Killed While
Riding Bicycle
Gary DeSantis, owner of Sailor's
World Marina on Lake Minnetonka was
hit by a motorist while riding his bicycle
about 6:15 pm Wednesday, May 19th.
Gary left an extensive
sailing legacy
in the sailing business,
sailboat racing
and in mentoring
sailors.
In the seventies,
Gary and two
partners changed
the landing on Smith's Bay to Sailor's
World and eventually bought it. While
they owned Sailor's World they were at
different times the number one Chrysler
sailboat dealership, S-2 dealership and
Freedom Yachts. Most recently Gary sold
Island Packet and Catalina Yachts.
In the mid-nineties, Gary and his
wife Cheryl, bought their partners out of
Sailor's World. They completely refurbished
the marina, club house and
grounds transforming Sailor's World into
a first rate marina on Lake Minnetonka.
Many, many young folks and members
of the sailing community where
accepted, trained and mentored by Gary
over the years. He was very well respected
and loved by many of his employees
and contemporaries in and out of the sailing
community.
Gary was preceded in death by his
father and wife Cheryl Sayler DeSantis.
He is survived by children: Rachel,
Michael, Elizabeth, Jason and Anna;
wife, Michele Erikson DeSantis and stepchildren
JJ and Sam; mother, Elverna
DeSantis; and sister, Mary DeSantis.
Gary was not an ordinary man. He
was quick to befriend with a warm greeting
and smile. Many, many friends and
family will miss his friendship and
unique humility which defined him in a
special way./Thom Burns
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