Surfer Mark Sanguinetti farewelled in moving surf tribute
Mark Sanguinetti, the Bilgola Plateau man who warned surfers of a shark before being attacked, has been farewelled in a moving tribute led by his daughters.
Mark Sanguinetti, the Bilgola Plateau man who warned surfers of a shark before being attacked, has been farewelled in a moving tribute at Palm Beach attended by hundreds of family and friends.
Led by his daughters, Bella and Jemima, the traditional surfers ceremony to honour Mr Sanguinetti’s life had more than 60 of his closest family and friends paddle out past the break, link arms and offer flowers to his memory.
Mourners also gathered along the shoreline, at the south end of the beach, holding bouquets and offering words of condolence to his family.
Mr Sanguinetti, who died last Tuesday after he was attacked by a 4.5 metre great white shark, was on holiday at Tuncurry Beach on the NSW Mid North Coast.
Following the attack, bystanders and paramedics attempted to save him, but he died at the scene.
Shortly after the attack, Police Superintendent Chris Schilt said: “It’s believed that when the attack occurred, the man did actually see the shark and called out to try to warn others, and very heroically his friends were able to bring him back in.”
Last week his daughters wrote a moving tribute, remembering their father as “a kind, generous, thoughtful man”.
“He saw the light within everyone and every situation. He’s home now in the ocean and in our hearts and he’ll be riding the waves of life with us forever.”
Days after the attack, emergency services confirmed four sharks had been tagged and released at Tuncurry and Forster Main beaches. Department of Primary Industries figures show 268 white shark detections since April 1.
Mr Sanguinetti, 59, was a retired international pilot and a regular surfer at Palm and Avalon beaches.
His life is due to be commemorated in another paddle out tribute at Tuncurry Beach on Saturday morning.
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