A woman is searching for answers after her father’s death in Eleuthera in what authorities believe to be a drowning incident.
Keen surfer Tom Quartiano, 68, from the USA, has been described as a wonderful individual who enjoyed life on the island.
Authorities said he was found on the shores of Surfer’s Beach last week Saturday around 10 am, but do not suspect foul play, as they await an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
His daughter Shannon Eramo is heartbroken and wants to find out what happened.
“I know the surfing community is close so if anyone has any information please let me know. He has been an avid part of Eleuthera his entire life and everyone that knew him, knew how wonderful of a man he was.”
James Athan, a friend of 40 years, said “TQ” as he was affectionately called, was found by tourists with a surfboard and leash still attached to his leg.
He warned surfers in their community never to surf alone.
“Tom and I have surfed waves all over the world and he was an accomplished waterman…It was determined he went out early for a session and was out there alone. No one knows what happened except that he is dead…He was in excellent physical health,” Athans said.
“Don’t surf alone. That’s why we have friends. Any second of any day something bad could happen.”
Linda Coll-Marshall once worked with Quartino in the Detective Bureau. She remembered him as “a class act.”
“I’m still in disbelief about his passing,” she said.
Tom McDevitt has a second home on the island and often surfed with Quartino. “He is one of the kindest gents I have met.”
“It seems he passed doing something he loved in a place he also loved,” his friend Bill Musselwhite lamented.