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Wayne Hasson Obituary
Naples - Captain Wayne Hasson of Naples, FL, passed away on January 17 at Avow Hospice at age 70. Wayne was a family man, Marine, SCUBA Diver extraordinaire and instructor, boat captain, pilot, world traveler and true pioneer in the SCUBA diving industry. Wayne was born in Columbus, Ohio, lived in the Cayman Islands for 20 years, then settled in Naples, FL in 1999.
Wayne fell in love with the sea at an early age while living at the Outer Banks of North Carolina. There he learned boating, diving, fishing, and boat building. He studied business and accounting at East Carolina University. Wayne was a proud U.S. Marine serving from 1970 - 1978, including a tour to the Far East supporting operations in Vietnam and service aboard USS Okinawa assisting in the evacuation of Saigon. After the Marines, he moved to the Cayman Islands where he managed "Casa Bertmar" Dive Resort and met his wife Anne.
In 1984, Wayne, and his partners founded the Cayman Aggressor (liveaboard dive yacht), which Wayne captained, growing it to become the Aggressor Fleet and today is known as Aggressor Adventures, with luxury yachts at the best dive locations around the world. In addition to being a founder, he served as President of the company until his passing.
Wayne's passion was to introduce and inspire youth around the world to explore, understand and respect the ocean and its inhabitants through diving, ocean education and conservation. He was a private pilot and encouraged countless children and teens to fly through the Young Eagles program. Wayne served on numerous company boards and business groups, including President of the Cayman Islands Watersports Assoc., Vice President of the Sister Islands Tourism Assoc., Diving Equipment & Marketing Assoc. Board of Directors, Cayman Islands Hurricane Relief Team, Sea of Change Foundation, Oceans for Youth Foundation, Friends of Rookery Bay, and the Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles Club Advisory Board.
Wayne received numerous awards over the years, including: Beneath the Sea "Legend Award," "Pioneer Award," and "Diver of the Year - Environment Award,"; SCUBA Schools International "Platinum Pro 5000 Recognition Award"; Rotary Foundation "Paul Harris Fellow Award"; and was inducted into the International Scuba Diving Hall of Fame. Wayne was an active member of the Naples Pelican Bay Rotary Club and the Naples Marine Corps League, E.T. Brisson Detachment, and donated much of his time to ocean conservation and civic service.
Wayne is survived by his wife Anne and children Davis, Caroline, Jennifer, Christina and Michelle.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, January 25th at North Naples Church, 6000 Goodlette-Frank Rd., Naples, FL 34109 following with a Celebration of Life party at their home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to: Sea of Change Foundation, https://seaofchange.com/donate-2/ (Wayne Hasson Scholarship Fund), 209 Hudson Trace, Augusta, Georgia, 30907, to help fund a Master's level educational scholarship to an individual pursuing a lifetime career in ocean conservation.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Hasson
Dana Moody
September 18, 2024
Wayne was a good friend ,he taught me how to be a good boat captain and was a good friend of mine. He always welcomed me into his home .
I will always remember him helping and teaching me to be a good captain.
I met Wayne in Panama City, FL at Bay Point resort, he wàs the Docmaster at Bay Point Marina
J. Edward Uditis
January 15, 2024
Enjoyed many great dives with Wayne
Steve Weaver
January 14, 2023
It was so nice to see this in my in box this morning. It made me think of Wayne which made me smile. Best wishes to Ann and the family!
ed Uditis
January 14, 2023
Enjoyed many great dives together and fun times
Talih Tinay
January 28, 2022
A wonderfully dedicated person to his proffession as a Dive Exp ert and perfect host. He flew to the island when we were stuck because of the hurricane, took us from the shelter to the boat and arranged us to get on a plane back to USA. HE MUST BE IN PARIDISE NOW.GOD BLESS THIS GREAT LEADER & HUMAN.
tom scott
January 14, 2021
A special man and dear friend. He is greatly missed.
Elizabeth Sowders
January 14, 2021
We continue to lift you, Anne, and your family up in prayer!
Lisa Malachowsky
May 7, 2020
The industry lost a true leader and a great advocate for recreational dive travel. Very sad.
Judy Walters
February 9, 2020
So sorry to see of his passing, I am sorry I am so late but just had the Celebration of Life for my husband and just read my email.
Your husband was kind enough to give my husband and I a week in Turks and Caicos, due to my having to have to go to the hospital in Thailand and had to spend a week on the boat and not be able to dive.
We had the privilege of diving with Wayne Brown but not your husband.
I know the anger and grief you are dealing with as I have just gone through it with having lost my husband Larry from pancreatic cancer.
Wayne ran a first class operation and I am looking forward to diving with the company soon.
I can begin to express what a great loss he was to the dive industry, but as you know to your family and friends.
February 5, 2020
I met Wayne while assisting he and Anne with a business matter out of the Caymans. I was instantly a fan and friend. The love of life and family was evident in both Wayne and Anne every minute of every day. He was larger than life and such a good guy. He took me diving, feeding the rays, flying, and just drinking in all there was to do. I am so sorry for his passing. I wish the family peace and great memories.
With love,
Bill Schwartz
January 30, 2020
Ann Caradonna and I had worked with Wayne for many years in the dive industry and were extremely dismayed with news of his passing. We would like to express our sincere sympathy to his family and have them know that he will be missed and always well remembered by us all.
Frank Recca
Caradonna Tours
january 30, 2020
Rodrigo Maciel
January 28, 2020
My name is Rodrigo Maciel, I am from Brazil, and I had the honor to meet and dive together with Captain Wayne in 2014 at Galapagos (Aggressor III). I was really luck that he was at that trip (inspecting the operation of the liveaboard) so I had the chance to chat a lot with him. Fantastic person, he shared great stories and helped me a lot with my pictures and my camera, giving fantastic advices. I will never forget that trip, specially because of his presence, his stories and his friendship. My condolences to his family. I will keep him in my memory, Rodrigo Maciel.
george booth
January 28, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear, of Wayne's passing. My condolences to Anne and his family.
I was fortunate to have met Wayne several times at DEMA, many decades ago. On my next vacation, I started vacationing, wherever Aggressor was going. They truly pioneered what I wanted to experience, on all my dive vacations. A beautiful yacht with great staff and amenities, in the worlds best underwater diving locations. Once you've experienced liveaboard diving on an Aggressor yacht, you'll wonder why you hadn't been doing it all along. The locations, comfort and convenience as well as the friendships of meeting a few famous strangers like Wyland, and Stan Waterman who is a true 'gentleman of the sea,' with a lifetime of stories that left you wanting to hear more. Everyone on board immediately became friends. Driver's are a special breed of explorers, that have been fortunate to see and experience the wonderful underwater beauty that's still left on Earth. From Cayman, Palau, Fiji and French Polynesia, and beyond, Wayne has taken me around the world. I will be forever grateful, for meeting him. Wayne and Aggressor, offers the best in a divers dreams.
Thank you for your military service in protecting our freedom, that allows us to be able to go diving around the world.
Wayne, you won't be forgotten.
RIP
george booth
San Antonio, TX
Talih and Dilek TINAY
January 27, 2020
He was a great leader and cared for the quality of the service offered to his guests. And we were fortunate to have that experience a few times.
Big shoes to fill.
We have been with other service providers who were not even close to the standards set by him and W. B. Brown.
Their care has been genuine enough to fly over to ensure our departure from the hurricane-hit island.
God bless him.
Tinay Family.
Merle and Kay Skare
January 26, 2020
We are so glad that Wayne was a part of our retirement celebration on the Palau Rock Island Aggressor boat.
We were on a three month Pacific Ocean Retirement adventure and every place we went to was a wonderful adventure always filled with many surprises.
When we arrived to board the Rock Island we were told that Wayne was on our boat trip for the week and that was a wonderful surprise, as he and the crew made us all feel important and part of their family.
Thank you for letting us be a part of your family adventure and we will miss you.
January 25, 2020
Remembering your great love story today and always.
Beneath the Sea 2015
Paul Gacek
January 25, 2020
Beneath the Sea 2018
Paul Gacek
January 25, 2020
January 25, 2020
Thank you for the vision you had to enable me to enjoy the experience of liveaboard diving and the wonderful people who worked on the Aggressor boats.
Sally Deupree
Ed Uditis
January 24, 2020
Will always remember the adventures we shared together.
Tom Scott
January 24, 2020
A great man, full of energy, compassion, and grace. Amazingly skillful in many areas, a patient leader, and a true friend, he was a gift to all who knew him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Anne and his family.
Rest In Peace my friend.
Richard Wobbe
January 24, 2020
This past November, Wayne was flown to DC with Collier Lee Honor Flight. While there, we met with 4 Star General Richard Neal and 2 Star General Arnie Fields. Wayne was ceremonially presented the 50th Vietnam Lapel Pin at the Vietnam Wall. It was an honor to be a part of that.
Rest In Peace fellow soldier, your watch is complete.
January 24, 2020
My sincere condolences to the Hasson family.
BRUCE LEIBOWITZ
January 23, 2020
Great guy and a good friend He will be missed
Bruce Leibowitz
January 23, 2020
Dear Anne,
On behalf of the PADI organization, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences for the loss of Wayne Hasson, an industry pioneer and icon. Wayne's creativity, tenacity and drive touched the lives of so many people and he enabled the dream and adventures of scuba diving across the planet. Our thoughts and prayers are with all friends, colleagues, and especially his family during this difficult time of loss.
Sincerely,
Drew Richardson
Steve WEAVER
January 22, 2020
Wayne was a great man, a good friend and an icon in the dive industry. Our industry is better for having had him in it, he will be deeply missed. My sincere condolences to his family.
Betty Ross
January 22, 2020
Wayne was a legend for many reasons; full sails and happy trails Captain Wayne.
Pamela M
January 22, 2020
A sad day for our world. What an incredible man to make such a difference in so many people's lives. I did not know Wayne but only of him, our paths circled some of the same friends. I was fortunate to spend some time on some of the Aggressor boats and what an unforgettable experience. Sending thoughts and dreams of diving adventures to all his family and loved ones.
Sidney Burkett Yannich
January 22, 2020
Thinking of you and your family Anne. The miles between us are many, but so too are the memories we share. Wayne was a wonderful man and you are so blessed to have had him in your life. My prayers are with you, Baba
January 22, 2020
A Journey welll traveled Capt. Wayne. You have touched many. Rest In Peace, Our love to Anne and the kids, hugs, Nancita and Allen. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.
Javier Romero Abreu
January 22, 2020
Pude disfrutar de toda su flota.
Descanse en paz
Stephanie Miller
January 22, 2020
I just met Wayne not long ago - it was a privilege to be on the Honor Flight with him. Then I found out he was my neighbor. I only got to visit him once but he was so welcoming and open - hospital and generous, not to mention extremely interesting. I could tell he loved his family and had strong ties to many people. That says a lot about a person. My condolences to his family and many friends.
Susan Whitley
January 21, 2020
Thinking of you and the entire family. I am glad to have met him many years ago.
John Hay
January 21, 2020
I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of Wayne . We met on the Cayman aggressor II. It was my first live aboard . He was a great guy. I then dove with him on the Kono Aggressor. Loved diving with him . He made diving fun and I'm still diving. RIP Wayne .
Pat Warren
January 21, 2020
Wayne donated four reduced price weeks on the old CAYMAN 1 to physicians who served with what was then called the Diving Accident Network. (now DAN).I was one of those physicians..I was lucky enough to dive with him on the Cayman boats and enjoyed the after week get togethers many times....from one north carolina boy to another, THANK YOU, WAYNE, FOR EVERYTHING..Bon Yoyage
George Schneider
January 21, 2020
My thoughts and prayers are with Wayne's family
during this time.
Wayne and I had some great times diving and laughing together. He was passionate about scuba diving and the industry and I will miss him!,
January 21, 2020
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Hasson family. What a great honor it has been to have known Wayne. We cherish our friendship and memories, and know that he will be deeply missed by his family and friends around the world.
Casey and Emily Zwaan
Rose Lendenman
January 21, 2020
He was an inspiration in my introduction to diving and creating a niche dive market for my then employer Air Pacific for divers to Fiji. May he be as vibrant in the great beyond as he was in this life!
Anthony Choily
January 21, 2020
Dear Anne and family so very sorry to hear of the passing of wayne he treated like family for 50 bday I will always remember he gave me a 500 credit to my next dive trip to on the redsea boat god speed MR.WAYNE HASSON
Van Land
January 21, 2020
Thoughts and prayers for the family of Wayne. To know him was to admire him.
January 21, 2020
QUERIDA ANNE..
Acepta mis respetuosas condolencias por la partida anticipada de Wayne. UN gran ser humano sin duda alguna.
Con todo respeto y cariño.
Ivan Salazar
Marenostrum expediciones
Revista Espacio Profundo
Mexico
Dominick Macan
January 21, 2020
Mon ami - we first met on our adventure to Cocos aboard the Okeanos in 1988 and that trip has stayed in my memory as one of the great adventures of my life. Since then we have stayed close and were in Sri Lanka together in 2016. You have lived a life that surpasses most lifetimes in what you have done, what you have achieved and I cannot find the words on how much we will miss you. You are now in the stars and I have no doubt you will blow them away too. Rest in peace my friend.
K Lundberg
January 21, 2020
I had the pleasure of diving with Mr.Hasson on an Aggressor boat. Sweet, kind and most enthusiastic diver I ever meet. Will think of him fondly next time I am at 80ft under watching the marvels of the ocean.
John Diliberto
January 21, 2020
I didn't know Wayne, but I took a few Aggressor trips and they were all highlights of my life. I assume the quality came from the top down. I'm so sorry for the loss to his family and the Aggressor Family
Gigi Thomas
January 21, 2020
Dear Hasson Family....
Please accept our deepest condolences. His contribution to the diving world will be eternal! Thank you for sharing him with all of us!
Randy and Gigi Thomas
Jack Fulmer (Adjutant MarineCorps League Naples, Florida)
January 21, 2020
The U.S. Marines, Navy Fleet Marine Force Corpsmen, FMF Chaplains, and Associate Members of the E. T Brisson Detachment #063 of the Marine Corps League in Naples, Florida, hereby salute and recognize Wayne Hasson for serving God and his country by becoming a United States Marine. We honor his memory and valiant service to our Corps and our great Nation. Please accept our heartfelt sentiments as a token of our esteem and admiration of his L'Esprit du Corps. Semper Fidelis.
Gary and Helen Dombowsky
January 21, 2020
Wayne was such a talented and amazing man...definitely a Renaissance Man. I know he was a great husband, father and friend. He was so successful but never at the expense of anyone else. He was highly respected and will be greatly missed. Our condolences to Caroline, Davis and Anne.
Elizabeth Sowders
January 20, 2020
Wayne was one of the most selfless men I ever met. We are all a bit better by knowing him. May God bring you, Anne, Davis and Caroline, the peace that only He can provide. Memories of him will sustain you in the future. With love, Elizabeth, Dean, Lorely, Jessica and John
Wayne & Patricia DaCosta
January 20, 2020
Our sincere condolences to the Hasson family. Our son Aaron attended Faulkner's Academy with Caroline many, many years ago where we got the opportunity to know this lovely family. May God give you strength and peace at this sad time.
Love,
Wayne & Patricia DaCosta
Susan Abbott
January 20, 2020
Wayne touched so many lives...not just touched but was instrumental in making memories never to be forgotten. He was larger than life and lived it well. We will all miss him.
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