A California Abalone Diving Lecture at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum by Scrap Lundy (seated on the left). Next to Scrap is Bob Ratcliffe, a Hall of Fame diver. Standing behind Bob is Greg Gorga, the Executive Director of the SBMM and to the left is Leslie Leaney, Co-Founder of the Historical Diving Society.

SBMM has lost a dear friend and board member. Mike DeGruy will be remembered fondly for his contributions to this museum and to the community.

On Friday, February 3rd, at approximately 4pm, Mike and his good friend, Andrew Wight, were killed in a helicopter crash
while working on a production together in Australia. Details about the crash are incomplete at this point, but news reports suggest some kind of malfunction in the helicopter at take-off.

Capturing the loss of such a great man in words is impossible. We are all shocked and deeply saddened. But knowing Mike, he’d want us to try and shrug it off, laugh as much as possible, and celebrate the incredible life he lived. And what a life it was. Please join his family and friends from all over the world this Sunday, February 12th for a memorial service in his honor and a celebration of his extraordinary life.

Memorial Services

WHERE: Fess Parker’s DoubleTree Resort in the Plaza del Sol
633 East Cabrillo Boulevard, Santa Barbara (Directions)

WHEN: Sunday, February 12th
3:00 – 4:00pm Guests arrival…Memory Book for mementos

4:00 – 5:00pm Celebration of Mike’s Life, officiated by Saral Burdette

5:00pm Circle of Friends on East Beach, across the street

5:30pm Drinks and dinner (No RSVP necessary)

Messages to Mike
Mike lives on in our memories of great times together. Consider sharing your thoughts on his website…
(www.mikedegruy.com)
…a poem, a favorite story about Mike, a photo of you and him and a big fish.
Share those times here with others that loved him. We’ll all be the richer for having known him.