Mark Sanguinetti: Ex-Qantas pilot shark attack victim remembered by flying colleagues
Mark Sanguinetti, the Bilgola Plateau man who heroically warned his mates of a shark as he was being fatally attacked, has been remembered as a consummate pilot and beloved family man.
Manly
Don't miss out on the headlines from Manly. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Details of the stellar flying career and the devotion to his family of heroic fatal shark attack victim Mark Sanguinetti have been revealed in a moving tribute released by his international flying colleagues.
Mr Sanguinetti, 59, died on Tuesday after he was mauled by what experts say was a monster 4.5m great white while surfing with his mates while holidaying on the Mid-North Coast.
The loving father of two daughters, and passionate surfboard rider from Bilgola Plateau, had carved out a successful career as an elite Qantas pilot, flying the airline’s flagship A380 and 747 jets.
After the fatal attack off Tuncurry Beach, Mr Sanguinetti was hailed a hero for yelling out a warning to his friends as he was struck by the massive shark.
In an obituary circulated to its members, the Australian and International Pilots Association (AIPA), said while he was a “consummate professional” the retired pilot would be best remembered for his “personal attributes”.
“His passing has been a terrible shock to his family, colleagues, surfing fraternity and friends,” the AIPA said.
The obituary revealed that Mr Sanguinetti was the son of a doctor from rural Victoria; was a passionate supporter of the Collingwood AFL club and; loved VW Kombi vans.
It said he began his flying career as a flying instructor at Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne where he became chief flying instructor before joining Aus-Air in 1987.
Mr Sanguinetti joined Qantas in where he flew on 747 Jumbo jets before transferring to the B767, then the B747-400 and finally the A380 as a First Officer in 2010
“His paired Captain for his A380 endorsement says of him, ‘Mark’s commitment to the training was so very impressive. A consummate professional at work’,.” the obituary stated
“However, it was Mark’s personal attributes that most will remember and admire him for.
“A balanced, calm, empathetic individual who faced life’s challenges with dignity and optimism.
“His love of the surf and VW Kombi were only surpassed by his devotion, love, and care for his daughters Jemima and Bella. For them and his partner Alex we are particularly sad.”
The AIPA obituary said that one of his former Qantas colleagues had recently met with Mr Sanguinetti.
“We last chatted to him at Palm Beach several weeks ago as he emerged from the surf grinning and happy to have reconnected with his beloved Pacific Ocean,” the colleague said.
“He looked and sounded to be in heaven. I will miss him deeply like most of his mates and his wonderful family.”
The obituary ended with: “Perhaps such a scene would be how Mark would want to be remembered, refreshed, smiling – he’d ‘had his surf’.”
A paddle-out has been organised in Mr Sanguinetti’s honour at Palm Beach next Tuesday at 4.30pm.
‘Life or death’: Alarm over city judges ruling on bush bail cases
A plan to have city magistrates remotely dealing with bail applications from the country has raised alarm about fairness and the possibility of recidivist offenders getting out more often.
‘Girlfriend made me do it’: Banned driver caught twice in two days
A northern beaches tradie on a five-year driving ban, who was caught behind the wheel twice in two days, told cops his girlfriend made him do it. See what a Sydney court thought of his excuse.