Patricia Muraglia crossed the bar (passed away) unexpectedly Sat 11 July.  She was born in New York hospital, on Manhattan, in New York city, in New York state on February 21, 1941. Pat was married to Frank, her husband, for 60 years. They have 2 sons. Dominic and Mark. 3 grandkids, Ashley, Patricia and Bianca and 11 great grandkids. She has 2 sisters, Gretchen and Joellen. In addition to raising 2 sons and taking care of Frank, Pat held numerous commercial positions, from clerk typist, private secretary, installer, group leader at Delco radio in Kokomo, Indiana, group leader, lead technician at Motorola radio in Plantation, Florida. She was the manager of the Metropolitan Yacht Club in Oakland, California. She managed a Hallmark card store in Ventura, California. Pat and Frank lived in 8 different states, In 6 different houses and one boat. In 1983 we were transferred to San Francisco from Houston, Texas. House prices were so exorbitant we decided to buy a boat. We lived on that boat, named appropriately, “Our Dream”, for 25 wonderful years. We moved the boat from San Francisco south to Ventura, Ca and then to San Diego, trying to get warm.  Pat became the best crew member anyone ever had. She was fully capable of being the captain and operating any boat, including operating all the electronics, radios, navigating, line handling and she could cook too. We cruised the Channel Islands, Catalina, made several trips back to San Francisco, sailed from San Diego to Hawaii on a neighbor’s 50’ sail boat, sailed to Cabo San Lucas, the sea of Cortez, La Paz and over to San Carlos on the Mexican mainland. on another neighbor’s 40’ sailboat

In Pat’s own words “In 1993 when Frank retired, we both decided we would like to do something with our spare time.  I wanted to become a more knowledgeable boater because I was looking forward to cruising aboard our boat, which had been our home for 10 years.  So, to make a long story short, we joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary, thinking only of myself and what I could get out of my experience.  Little did I know that my training would not only make me a better boater, but I would become passionate about sharing my skills and training with my shipmates as well as other boaters.”

Pat joined the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Feb 1993. In her 27year career in the Auxiliary she held 36 staff positions and 8 elected offices, in Flotilla, Division and District units.  She earned a total of 66 awards. Her last award reflected her commitment to the Coast Guard, The Martin S. Herz award. This is a special recognition and is not presented annually. The last recipient was over 6 years ago. This is a permanent trophy given to the Auxiliarist who possesses the qualities so exemplified by Commodore Herz of dedication, honesty, patience, understanding, diligence and personality. It exemplifies Pat’s life perfectly. In the maritime tradition we ring 8 bells indicating a change of watch.  Ring 8 bells, her watch is over. Farewell my love. Wishing you fair winds and calm seas on your next adventure. See you soon

A memorial service will be held at a later date.