Captain Bob McGarty died on December 21, 2024, while in the SC VA Presidio Hospital in San Francisco, California. He is survived by two sons, five grandchildren, his loving partner of 27 years, Donna, and their two dogs Mendy and Nella.
At 20 years old Captain Bob owned his first 14ft sailboat, a few years later, he bought a 43ft Lester Stone yawl. He restored her and lived aboard for two years while sailing the Channel Islands and the Mexican coast. For 15 years he owned the Shelter Island Boat Doctor repairing and delivering yachts. He sold his company and worked for three years for an international surveyor’s company traveling the world assessing the consequences of damaged yachts. He met Donna in Cabo San Lucas in 1997. They soon started playing tennis and working together 24/7 running a yacht from San Franciso, the Sea of Cortez, and the Pacific coast. Three years later they upgraded their seamanship credentials and moved to the Netherlands where he was the Owners Rep and Project Manager building a 140ft expedition style Feadship. After six years of planning, building, and christening her, they brought the yacht with a crew of seven, across the Atlantic from Amsterdam to St. Lucia. They then retired in Cabo San Lucas BCS.
Capt. Bob loved Cabo. His joy was fostering dogs for Aida and The Pet Ranch. He loved our Vets Fernanda and Nancy. Bob loved Alicia and Betty. He enjoyed 50 years of sobriety with his AA Brothers. His yachting friends in San Diego, the Cabo Marina, and San Jose Marina were his forever family of friends and coworkers. Shane, The San Diego Marine Exchange, John S., Sergio C., Xquido M., Capt. Grande, Pete H., Capt. Andy, and so many more. The Cabo Bello Gardeners, Security, and neighbor Aaron gave him happiness every day. He was a Salty ole Captain who loved the sea, his family, his friends, and his dogs. ,