1956 – 2024
Scott Gibson Boye, age 67, passed away at his home on San Juan Island of natural causes, on June 24th, 2024. Born on August 11th, 1956, Scott lived a vibrant life from beginning to end and touched the lives of many people.
After he graduated from Woodway High School in Edmonds, WA, he attended Western Washington University in Bellingham and graduated from the University of Washington in Seattle with a degree in architecture in 1978. He worked for Lindal Cedar Homes, Sumitomo Industries, Marine Design of Friday Harbor, and the Friends of the San Juans.
Although he had a full career, his hobby from boyhood was sailing boats. He began sailing a 10-foot Boston Whaler on Lake Ballinger where he grew up, and his family sailed their Santana 27 each summer throughout the San Juan Islands. Thus began his enthusiasm for sailing and exploring each cove, headland, and open water he could find.
His sailing accomplishments include racing in the Swiftsure International Yacht Race, Victoria to Maui International Yacht Race, the Van Isle 360 International Yacht Race, and TransPac, among many others.
His true love was teaching others to sail. He coached the Friday Harbor High School Sailing Team on San Juan for 17 years — leading the team to nationals in 1999 — and helped the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation as well, making many close friends along the way. He was also very active in the community and passionate about political affairs.
He was predeceased by his mother Peggy Boye, and is survived by his father, Bob Boye of Edmonds, Washington; his sister, Brenda Reynolds (Greg) of Sitka, Alaska; and nieces and nephews, Isaac Reynolds, Sarah Robinson, and David Reynolds.
At his request, the family will spread his ashes in Griffin Bay, San Juan Island, in a small family gathering.
In Scott’s honor, a small-boat sailing regatta will be held on what would have been Scott’s 68th birthday, August 11th, at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island, and a public potluck memorial will be at the San Juan Island Yacht Club in Friday Harbor that evening at 6 p.m. For more information, and to give a gift in Scott’s memory to the San Juan Island Sailing Foundation, see www.sanjuansailing.org/aiyr3