Thomas Buckroyd, a longtime Sitka business owner and avid fisherman, passed away at his home in Fort Mohave, Ariz., on Aug. 6. He was 64.
Tom Buckroyd
Tom was born Feb. 28, 1952, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of James and Leota Buckroyd. At a very young age, his grandma taught him how to fish on Lake Okoboji in Iowa. He fished as much as he could throughout Iowa and Northern Minnesota before deciding to move to Washington State. There, he bought a live-aboard boat named Mya. He fished throughout British Columbia before heading to Southeast Alaska. When he stopped in Sitka in 1998, he knew he had found something special. He was operating his charter fishing company Alaskan Advantage at the time of his death.
Tom’s favorite way to fish was to motor mooch for big salmon. He loved getting close to the kelp beds and fish the shallows for the big kings.
Tom was also into woodworking and classic cars. A very gifted story teller, he could always get a laugh out of somebody.
Tom is survived by his daughters, Shawn Buckroyd of Minneapolis, Minn., and Leana Buckroyd of Fargo, N.D.; three granddaughters Jackie, Jasmine, and Keirra; and his beloved springer spaniel Daisy.
A memorial service will be held 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27, on board an Allen Marine boat. Pick-up and drop-off for the memorial cruise will take place at Crescent Harbor.
All who want to remember Tom are very welcome to attend, the family said. There will be food served and also drinks available for purchase onboard.