Hector Cruz spent many hours volunteering with the Downtown Boathouse over the years. He was a fixture out on patrol with his giant water bottle, and in the kitchen whipping up delicious food. Always quick with a smile, a story, or a joke, he loved the boathouse and his fellow volunteers fiercely.

His sister Enid tells me that he loved the water his whole life, and she relayed a story we've heard parts of before - basically, Hector tried to swim across the river and had to get picked up by a helicopter. His mother was not happy.

There is a large Hector-shaped hole in our hearts, but he told me the love he felt from the support of his boathouse family made him happy as he struggled over the past year.

If you're able to contribute to costs for his memorial, the family will be hosting a gathering in the coming weeks (details tbd, I will share here when we know) and all funds will go directly to Enid for associated expenses.