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Gerald Raymond Commagere Jr., known to all as “Skip,” passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 25, 2025. He was born on March 21, 1943, in Atlanta, Georgia.Skip is survived by his loving wife, Cathy; daughters, Kerri Janke and Kimberly Krautter; grandson, Brandon Krautter; sister, Julie Nolan; brothers, Gary and David Commagere; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his beloved son, Derek Krautter.A born entrepreneur and promoter, Skip had an instinct for opportunity and a deep passion for the ocean. His business ventures began early—in high school, he ran a side business renting cars to classmates who didn’t have their own. Not long after, he partnered with a friend’s father to “sharecrop” tomatoes, selling his harvest to local restaurants and roadside stands.His career later turned toward real estate, where he sold properties in North Carolina and Colorado before eventually finding his true calling near the water.Skip moved to Palm Beach County, Florida, to care for his grandmother, who had relocated there from Atlanta. During that time, he attended college for a year while working as a lifeguard in Delray Beach and Boca Raton—foreshadowing his lifelong connection to the sea.It was there that Skip began his greatest adventure: Nautilus Dive Surf & Ski, the business that would evolve into Force-E Dive Centers, founded in 1976. Over the decades, Force-E became a cornerstone of the South Florida diving community. Skip’s passion for the ocean extended far beyond business—he was deeply dedicated to preserving and protecting marine environments, particularly the iconic Blue Heron Bridge dive site.Skip sold the company in 2021, but his legacy continues to thrive through Steven Constantiner and the entire Force-E family. His entrepreneurial vision, love for the ocean, and larger-than-life personality left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him and on the diving community he helped shape.Skip Commagere called Calvary Chapel in Boca Raton, Florida his church home.He will be deeply missed and forever remembered.A Celebration of Life for Skip will be held at a later date, where friends and family will gather to share stories, laughter, and memories of a man who lived life on his own terms and inspired others to do the same.In honor of Skip’s lifelong devotion to the ocean, the family invites those wishing to pay tribute to consider supporting local marine conservation efforts or simply to spend a quiet moment by the sea.

Gerald Raymond Commagere, Jr.

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