California Dragon Boat Association

On the afternoon of October 3rd, 2020, Francis Yeung passed away peacefully at home while working in the yard, one of his favorite activities. A beloved pillar of the local dragon boat community since its founding, he will be greatly missed.

Francis was born in Hong Kong and left to attend high school in London. From there, Francis went on to earn his undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University and continued on to graduate school at the University of Alberta in Canada.

Missing the Bay Area, Francis returned to San Francisco where he met his wife and soul-mate, Dorothy. Together, they would have a profound effect on dragon boating in the Bay Area. Instrumental in the formation of the California Dragon Boat Association (CDBA) back in 1997, they served on its first Board of Directors. During their tenure, along with Dorothy's sister, Anni, they would bring the first set of modern dragon boats to the San Francisco Bay Area. Dorothy would start the all-women team called the Woman Warriors, which Francis steered, and this team would evolve into the Dragon Warriors, one of the largest and strongest teams in the Bay Area and an engine of growth for the CDBA and its races, festivals, and programs.

Despite these heady accomplishments, it is the thoughtful, little things that many remember most about Francis. Unfailingly kind, generous, and friendly, he could always be found working on the docks at Lake Merced, repairing dragon boats, or helping any team that needed steering. During the race season, he often spent more of his waking hours at Lake Merced than at home. The first to arrive and the last to leave on race days, he tirelessly and graciously shared his steering and fix-it knowledge with all who wished to learn. Motivated by neither ego nor desire for credit, Francis lived to help, share, and give for the greater good of the people and sport that he so loved.

The kindest and warmest of lights, Francis continues to burn, in his wonderfully quiet and strong way, in all our hearts and spirits. Let it ride, dear Francis (March 21, 1947 - October 3, 2020).

Nicholas Austin Tom, often called Nick Tom or NT, was born on February 28, 1991 to parents Terry and Gayline Tom. He passed away too soon on June 21, 2015 at the age of 24.

Nicholas was a happy, yet mischievous child, who will be remembered for his energy, genuineness, and huge smile.

He went through the San Francisco public schools, picking up the sport of dragon boat at Galileo High School. He was also heavily involved in the West Portal Performing Arts Program, which he took part in during his elementary, middle, and high school years. The lion dance group was where you would always find him.

Nicholas attended college at the University of California, Irvine with a major in Biology and a minor in Psychology. In his first year there, he joined the school's dragon boat team, and eventually became the team's president by the time he was a senior.

He has contributed significantly to the dragon boat community in the Bay Area. He joined San Francisco Dragon Warriors right out of college to continue paddling, but very quickly used his talents to coach as well. He gave back to his high school team as well by coaching their practices when he was back in San Francisco.

He is survived by: his parents, Terry and Gayline, and his brothers, Andrew and Austin.

Aditya Kadam, fondly called Sunny by his family (Aditya means Sun in India), and also known as D.A. in his paddling community the world over, passed away unexpectedly on 26th January 2014, in San Mateo, California.

Aditya was born in India in July 1990 to parents Tejaswi and Sudhir Kadam. Aditya did his schooling in Mountain View, CA (Landels, Graham, and Mountain View High). He was in the school's symphony and marching bands and played the Trigger Trombone. While in high school, he learned Tae Kwon Do and earned his black belt. Simultaneously he took interest in Dragon Boating and participated in MV-DB team (Mountain View Dragon Boating). As he excelled in Dragon Boating and was counted amongst the top California paddlers, he developed a liking for Outrigger Canoe, which allowed him to spend time by himself in the Ocean, away from the rut of daily life.

After his high school internship at NASA, Ames Center, he developed a passion for Aerospace and followed his passion for building UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to attend University of California, San Diego. Aditya graduated from UCSD with a degree in Aerospace Engineering in June 2013. While at UCSD he pursued his passion for Dragon Boat and Outrigger and after participating in several national North American racing competitions, he was selected to be part of Team USA at the World Championship in Milan in 2012. Aditya was preparing for the 2014 ICF World Championship in Poznan, Poland. His blog about his preparation for World Championship in Milan in 2012 can be read at: http://da-beast-x.tumblr.com

DA was the heart, life, and soul of the paddling community and to him his life was in the paddling world on the waters. He was a coach, mentor, and a team player who was loved by everyone.

Adityas funeral service was held at the Sky Lawn Funeral Home and Memorial Park located in San Mateo on Friday January 31st, 2014 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. followed by a 10-minute funeral procession leading to the Crematorium.

Aditya is survived by his parents Sudhir and Tejaswi and sister Swati. The Kadam family would like to thank everyone (the paddling community, his friends, our friends, and our other family members) for the love and support shown to us during the loss of our loved one. Email for condolence messages to the family: sk.mtnview@gmail.com

Sky Lawn Memorial Park Obituary

Boston Dragon Boat's article about Aditya

Austin Cruz "Joy Joy" Crisologo Of Brisbane, nicknamed for the boundless joy he brought to all, born June 28, 1966 in the Philippines, departed Feb 14, 2009, at age 42. Son of educators Remedios Cruz Crisologo and Arturo C. Crisologo, Austin immigrated to San Francisco's Sunset District in 1983 to live with his grandparents, the late Ismael M. Cruz and Felicidad Fernando Cruz. A City College of San Francisco alumnus, he became an ironworker with the Ironworkers Local 377. His strong and skilled hands helped shape notable landmarks including AT&T Park and the new CA Academy of Sciences. He met and fell in love with Lisa "Cat" Grace while pursuing metal as an art in 1989. They married in 1993.

A man of many passions, Austin loved reading, photography and the great outdoors; pursuing hiking, cycling, paddling and running with vigor matched only by his extraordinary physique, earning him another affectionate nickname, "Superman." A tireless dragon boat paddler since 1997, Austin was a founding member of DieselFish and Ripple Effect. He inspired those he met on and off the water. Survived by his loving wife Cat; his mother Remedios; siblings Arturo Jr. and Juliet, Arlene and Enrico, Elsie and Cenon, Alden, Amelia and Rechel, Allan and May, Araceli and Limuel, Allen and Corey and Jim; along with 15 nieces and nephews. Interred at Cypress Lawn Memorial Park, Colma. A man of quiet humility and great strength of character, the joy and inspiration he brought to this world shall be his legacy. Forever in our hearts and minds, Austin, you will be dearly missed.

Article in Marinji Times

Deuggan Serra Funeral Home obituaries