Dane Vermillion
By Grant Frautschi
Dane Vermillion’s zeal for life was contagious; his love of family, friends, his dogs, a good book, and sailing were just a few of the things that made him special to so many.
His kind and mellow soul made him easily approachable and liked by everyone.
He was not the life of the party, but it was not a party without him. Cocktails on the pontoon, an after-race Heineken and a saran-wrapped prize ball, racing hermit crabs on the beach, he was fun, up for anything, and always there and adding excitement at every event.
Dane, aka “DJ Toast” to his close entourage, was always providing the soundtrack of our lives; his unique love of music had the pool-party playlist jumping, switching genres sometimes by song, mainly 80’s classics, hip hop, classical, early grunge, the occasional Keltic ditty, and reggae. Dane loved the Caribbean beat and vibe the most.
Friends and sailing were the passions that fueled his soul. The Mendota Yacht Club and working at the Sailboat House feed both those needs. As a member of MYC for over 25 years, Dane has always given. He served as Commodore in 2014, the Friday night PRO for years, and a valued race committee member for over a decade. His sailing resume was vast as he sailed in about every class at one time or another.
Dane was a rockstar on board, handling the technical rig tune, electronics, and sail trim. He made boats go fast. He hiked the hardest but was most at home, and a specialist at being swallowed up by an enormous A scow or J80 spinnakers; no matter how the wind blew or how close to the mark, Dane would gobble up chutes like magic, stow them below, and be back on the rail looking for the next shift.
Running the front of any boat always had Dane nearest the cooler; his bartending skills and timing were impeccable. Beers would magically be cracked and passed out as an offering to the wind gods, a victory celebration, or just for a great day on the water with friends old or new.
Dane’s ultra-competitive nature was only eclipsed by the love of his wife Becky of 18 years. Together, they had many adventures on boats, beaches, and his Harley.
Dane’s routines could be counted on; without fail, you would be exposed to the most recent pictures of his beloved dogs on his iPhone, a recommendation for some obscure crime series, usually British, and possibly some new regional flavored spirits he would bring home from his travels with Becky.
The surprise October leukemia diagnosis took us all like a rouge wave. Still, Dane battled on like a last-leg-tacking duel for the season championship. Unfortunately, he ran out of race course on New Year’s Day 2024 with his wife Becky and extended family by his side.
Dane’s indelible commitment to the nautical lifestyle and family was always on full display through his beautiful body art. One of his favorite of many tattoos said, “Navigate the wind and sea wisely.” Great advice from a man who will be missed by many.
Dane S. Vermillion November 22, 1966 - January 1, 2024