Make a Gift in Honor or Memory of a Loved One
Remember your loved one or honor their wishes with a donation in their memory. We are very thankful for the support we’ve received in memory of local anglers and enthusiasts. See them below.
Donate with a Credit Card
We use PayPal for secure payment, but you do not need a PayPal account. Simply skip the email/ phone fields and click the “Donate with Debit or Credit Card” button.
After your donation, contact us with the name and information you’d like us to include here.
Donate by Mail
To donate by mail, send a check or money order to:
The Florida Fishing Academy, 10157 SW Cypress Wood Ct., Port Saint Lucie, FL 34987
Donations Made in Memory of
In Memory of Eric O’Neal
Eric was a lifelong resident of North Palm Beach and always felt blessed to have grown up and lived in paradise. He loved fishing and spent all of his free time fishing the sea wall and rocks of Lakeside Park. Nothing brought a bigger smile to his face than to spend time with his niece and nephew, Maleia and Marshall Benjamin, teaching them how to leur a line, bait, cast and reel in a fish.
I know he is smiling down knowing that in his memory another child will experience his passion for the water and for fishing.
– Dawn Ebright
Eric will be missed. He loved fishing and I could talk to him about fishing for hours. Whenever Eric was out on the boat with me he always had a smile and you knew he was in his happy place. “ I’ve finished life’s chores assigned to me, So put me on a boat headed out to sea. Please send along my fishing pole For I’ve been invited to the fishin’ hole. Where every day is a day to fish, To fill your heart with every wish. Don’t worry, or feel sad for me, I’m fishin’ with the Master of the sea. We will miss each other for awhile, But you will come and bring your smile. That won’t be long you will see, Till we’re together you and me. To all of those that think of me, Be happy as I go out to sea. If others wonder why I’m missin’ Just tell ’em I’ve gone fishin’ Dalmar Pepper.
– John Waddington
In Memory of Matt Muccio
Matt has been fishing pretty much forever. His favorite times in Florida were going out on a charter with his dad and his dearest friends Tony and his dad Joe. Matt would be happy to know that donations were being made in his honor so that kids could have the opportunity to share the experience of fishing like he did.
Thank you from Matt and our family.
In Memory of Joel Brazeman
The Florida Fishing Academy has lost a dear friend. Joel Brazeman, 75, passed away on Aug. 7, 2014, but his legacy lives on in the boys and girls whose lives he enriched through his boundless generosity and kindness. Joel was a big-hearted man who believed in helping the less fortunate. Because of Joel’s connections and through his own personal resources over the years, the academy has been the proud beneficiary of a 44-foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser that has entertained numerous FFA donors, a floating dock that now provides wheelchair access to the Riviera Beach waterfront and quiet contributions that have sponsored summer camp excursions for disadvantaged youth who could not otherwise afford the opportunity. We will miss Joel’s bright light, but his memory will continue to inspire us and his contributions will make a difference for generations to come.
In Memory of Dante Capezzuto
After the tragic loss of our son Dante Capezzuto at the age of 36, I searched many different options for memorial donations when I was blessed to come across The Florida Fishing Academy. I feel it is no coincidence that we now know of such a great organization. We listed your website in the obituary for donations. We hope people will be moved to donate. Our son loved the sport and spent countless hours with a rod in his hand. He enjoyed salt and fresh water, as well as spear fishing. His son Demetrius and Dad Ken, are in this picture. Dante started Demetrius out at the age of 3 and he is a fishing machine just like his Daddy. I know my son would have loved becoming a part of the great things the Fishing Academy offers to our youth today. In a world filled with violence and so many wrong messages and choices for our kids, it is refreshing to see that you bring them back to nature, back to enjoying life the way it should be, breathing in days filled with sun, fun and laughter. God Bless you for the work you do.
In Memory of Ronald Jason Ogden
I am saddened to say that another fellow fisherman has passed away. According to the Beaches Leader, “Ronald JasonOgden “Bart” passed away peacefully on January 9, 2015. Jason was born on August 3, 1974 in Jacksonville, FL.”
I want to thank all of the friends and family that have donate to the Florida Fishing Academy on behalf of Bart. The money will be used to help a child learn how to be a responsible angler and to take him fishing. For many of our students, it will be the first time they have been fishing. Many thanks from your friends at the Florida Fishing Academy.
In Memory of Dr. Andy Friedman
Andy’s dad, Sidney donated Andy’s boat to the academy. Andy passed away from a heart attack. Andy was a great man who took disadvantaged children on his boat and gave them a new opportunity to experience life on the water. We are proud to continue his legacy on his boat.
In Memory of William Henry Krick
Bill passed away in 2012 while fishing in the Everglades. Bill was a 4th generation Floridian who headed directly for the ocean even before he could walk. Fishing was his earliest family activity; he was also mentored early in life by his uncles; George DeBay who ran the tackle store on the old Palm Beach Pier, and many other “natives” of the older generation who fostered his love for the natural resources of our coastal paradise.
In high school he competed in free diving and spear fishing. He made and repaired his own rods. Our family recreation involved scuba, underwater photography, and saltwater aquariums. He always wanted to involve youngsters in every possible occasion. He truly believed it takes a village to raise a confident child and instill good character.
So it is with a glad heart that I pass along so much of what Bill loved and considered important; to be used in the best possible way — to benefit the next generation. I look forward to attending one of your events soon, meeting more of you in person and supporting your efforts in other ways.
Many thanks,
Cathy Krick
In Memory of Chris Johnson
My name is Holly White. I recently saw a segment on the Nightly News regarding your organization. I was moved by the work you are doing and think that it is a wonderful and worthwhile thing. I was most moved because my fiancée, Chris Johnson, would have really approved and been excited by your work. Chris was an avid angler and loved his boat, a 32’ Pacemaker, more than he loved me…it’s okay because he knew her first. With Spring arriving here in New England I can’t help but think about how excited he would be to get out the “boat” stuff and begin the annual washing, polishing, compounding and waxing that dominated our March, Aprils and Mays for the past 8 years.
On October 1st of last year, Chris passed away from a massive heart attack. He was 42 years old and our wedding was scheduled for December 8th.
I recently received a check for $200.00 from some friends of ours, that was collected in Christopher’s name. I feel as if I can’t keep this money. I want to donate it to a cause that Chris would approve of, I believe that the Florida Fishing Academy definitely fits that bill. As much as he loved his boat, the ocean, fishing and all things about the sea…he loved kids just as much. He had often been told as a teen that he would not succeed in life, and spent every day proving those who told him so wrong. He believed that hard work and tenacity and a fair amount of arrogance would always lead to success. He also truly believed that everyone should know how to properly maintain a boat, that hard work builds character in kids and teens. I miss him every day, but I don’t miss cleaning his boat.
I would like to donate this small gift to your organization, but I want to do so in his memory.
