How much more will 2020 take?

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
Writing the first word can often be the hardest, which is what’s occurring now as an obituary is being crafted for Geoff Ewenson. Unexpected deaths raise this challenge, particularly for someone as fit, young, and respected. The pain now in the sailing world is real.

Annapolis is a small town, but a sailor’s town, and it is of some coincidence that Geoff’s wife Mary Ewenson is the conduit for the Chesapeake region. I became a fan of Mary through her publication launched 25 years ago with Dave Gendell, SpinSheet. Regional publications make our sport good, and SpinSheet is great.

More will be said about Geoff’ prior to his departure, but my thoughts are now with my dear colleague Mary. She lights the room with power and personality, and makes things better. A gem! I can’t imagine dealing with such a loss. Oh Mary, you are in my prayers.

I missed my annual trip to the Annapolis Boat Show, with the COVID-19 cancellation keeping me from a Budweiser or two with Geoff and Mary. It was always a highlight. But now this? Such a gut punch. How much more will 2020 take?

I will end for now with a note from SpinSheet:

On the morning of October 14, Geoff Ewenson passed away suddenly of an apparent heart attack at the age of 50. Most SpinSheet readers know Geoff as a professional sailor and coach, an excellent writer, boat reviewer, and contributor to many things SpinSheet. Above all he was the loving husband of SpinSheet publisher and owner Mary Ewenson. We are devastated over his loss.

At this difficult time, we ask that you limit phone calls to our office, unless they are magazine-related. Please direct all inquiries to our editor Molly Winans molly@spinsheet.com and our associate publisher Chris Charbonneau chris@spinsheet.com.

Thank you, SpinSheet friends, for your condolences and kind words during this tough time. Stay tuned for a more in-depth farewell article and links to charities for memorial donations.