Loss of a 369 Mentor

[Joe Finkel]

With great sadness we would like to share with CD and FIRST community the passing of our Mentor Joseph Boffa. There are no words to describe the loss.
He was a great mentor and educator and a huge asset to our team. We know he will be smiling down on us this weekend at Long Island Regional, participation in which, was made possible by his fundraising efforts.
Thank you so much to the CD community for the outpouring support.

On behalf of Team 369 and Alumni

Team 369 Coach/Mentor

Joseph Finkel

[Vikesrock]

My sympathies go out to you, your team, and to Joseph's family and friends.

[Akash Rastogi]

What a terrible loss, I'm sure Joseph is one of the reasons why 369 is one of the best teams in the NYC area with some of the best designs.

Our sympathies go out to your team and Joseph's family in these tough times.

[HashemReza]

I cannot imagine the pain everyone involved is experiencing. I am incredibly sorry for the loss of a man who seems to have been a role model for many.

I hope that you feel the love and support of everyone here in this time of mourning, and I hope his life can continue to be an example of how we can all better ourselves.

[dipmeinaluminum]

: (

[Koko Ed]

On behalf of team 191 our sympathies to your team in this time of loss.

[JudyVandy]

Sincere condolences from Chuck 84.

[GaryVoshol]

My sympathies go out to your team and his family. Please do your best this weekend to honor his memory.

[IndySam]

How very sad. Joseph has been in our prayers and thoughts the last few days. Deepest sympathies to all of you from team 829.

I hope you all remember him fondly as you compete this weekend.

[Wayne Doenges]

Team 1501 sends it's condolences to the family and friends.

Rest in Peace Joseph. You will be missed.

[Chris is me]

I'm sorry for your team's loss of an inspirational figure. My sympathies go out to your entire team and Mr. Boffa's family. The fact that you guys still have the strength and will to compete despite such adversity is both admirable and something I just cannot comprehend.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Please pass along our condolences for his family and friends from WildStang, 111.

[Cynette]

Rolling Thunder, Team 1511 sends it's condolences to the family and friends.

[JaneYoung]

I'm very sorry to hear this sad news.
Sending my condolences and prayers to all of you,

Jane

[MarkoRamius1086]

After so long waiting for news, it is comforting to know that he is finally at peace. 1086 and its members gives its condolences and hopes that Team 369 does well at Long Island, despite the tragic loss of your mentor.

[MadeAtMidnight]

Our sympathies for your loss from team 1625.

[nuggetsyl]

Team 25 send their condolences.

[yara92]

On behalf of team 1946 our sympathies to your Famly and team in your loss
mohamed

[flippy147852]

On behalf of team 1918, I would like to offer my condolences.

[waldo]

Our deepest sympathies for his family and team. I hope all of us competing this week do so in a manner that honors him and his spirit.
Team 1742

[David Brinza]

Team 980 offers our deepest sympathies for your tragic loss.

[synth3tk]

On behalf of Team 964, we're sorry to hear about your loss. We send our condolences to you, your team, and his family.

[LLM]

Team 1108 sends their condolences to you and the family. We understand what you are going through as a team. We lost our beloved mentor, Dean Scherman, in October after a short and agonizing battle with cancer. Our team will truly never be the same.

Please know that everything you do now and in the future will be a testament to his memory and the influence he has had in each of your lives. Please know that, although the hurt and sadness will never leave you, that soon you will be comforted by the wonderful memories he has left you. And, please know that your very existence will be a comfort to his family, because they will be able to feel his presence in your presence, and know that your team is another way in which he truly continues to live on.

And, finally, sometime in the future, when you are faced with the decision to drink and drive (and we all have had to make that choice), remember that the wrong decision can have devasting consequences to multitudes of people.
Our prayers are with you all. Linda Meinig

[Rion Atkinson]

My deepest sympathy and condolences. I will be praying for your team while you compete this weekend. May he live on in your actions.

[rcmolloy]

Team 1647 sends their sympathy and condolences. It's very tough to have two FIRST members pass this year.

[MishraArtificer]

'What you do in this life...echoes in eternity!" - General Maximus, Gladiator

Joseph Boffa, you will echo in the hearts and souls of your students forever.

[Green2]

Deepest sympathies for Mr. Boffa's family and your team for this tragic loss.

[Craig Roys]

On behalf of team 1718, I would like to send our condolences.

[Meredith Novak]

Please accept the prayers and condolences of Team 16, Bomb Squad. We are so sorry for your loss.

[BAMitUp]

Team 2910 offers its condolences.

Losing a mentor is definitely rough.

[thelittlesister]

On behalf of the LuNaTeCs, team 316, our deepest sympathies.

[robself705]

My grandfather died a month ago and I know the pain you must all be going through right now. It sucks. I'm sure you will make him proud at your regional. :)

[AKaul]

Team 1241 sends their condolences.

[SteveGPage]

The students and mentors of 836 send our condolences. Joe's family and the members of team 369 are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

[darkangel]

Oh, my gosh...I'm so sorry. Losing one of your own is an indescribably painful experience, especially when it's such a tragic and unpredictable end. On behalf of Team 3125, I send the team's condolences, as well as my own. Own up the season for him and may he rest in peace.

[Dancin103]

I'm very sorry for your loss. On behalf of my self and Team 103, our prayers are with you.

[Siri]

Team 1640 offers our condolences

[The Cyborg]

My greatest condolences to your loss. It is a tragic thing to lose somebody who is of great importance to FIRST and to everyone he has touched. My deepest thoughts go to Joseph's family, and to team 316.

[sundancekid92]

Team 56 offers our condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Boffa.
Best wishes for your team this season

[ErikEdhlund]

I alongside with team 111 would like to give our condolences to team 369 as well as Joseph Boffa's family and friends. I hope that you can overcome this tough loss. Best wishes for this year's competition and if you are in need of any help, please do ask.

[Vince lau]

Team 3396 sends their condolences

[jennifer_1547]

Team 1547 Where's Waldo sends their deepest condolences and wishes you luck the rest of this season.

[paragon571]

i am sorry for your loss

[scarletrain]

I am terribly sorry to hear that. My prayers go out to your team.

[Doug Adams]

Team 1477 Texas Torque offers our deepest condolences.

[Isaac501]

Sincere condolences and prayers from Team 501 The PowerKnights. That is unimaginable.

[mikedeggy]

Our team just lost our main mentor and I know how much it hurts I am truly sorry for your loss.

[rotolomi]

:[ from myself and my team, the Pascack Pi-oneers [team] 1676, I offer my deepest sympathies for you, your team members, and Joseph's family and friends. I wish your team the best of luck at your regional this weekend, play well in his memory. He'll be smiling down upon you guys this weekend, remember that.

[Mark McLeod]

This is the side of Grady's robot at the SBPLI Long Island Regional.
It's sad to lose such a man to a tragic accident after winning his battle with cancer.

[JNelson]

Our hearts go out to Mr. Boffa's family and friends and to Team 369. We share your sorrow at losing him, and pray that God pour out his love and kindness on you and give you strength.

Team 2771

[Joey P]

:[ from myself and my team, the Pascack Pi-oneers [team] 1676, I offer my deepest sympathies for you, your team members, and Joseph's family and friends. I wish your team the best of luck at your regional this weekend, play well in his memory. He'll be smiling down upon you guys this weekend, remember that.


The Pascack Pi-oneers and me do send our condolences and we do wish you guys the best of luck

[cooker52]

Having lost a mentor of my own, I give my condolences. There are no words that can describe such a loss. I'm sure he's proud of all you've done this weekend and how you dealt with his loss. I wish you all the best as you finish your year.
-Seth C.

[maltz1881]

Please accept our condolences from Team 1322. It is so hard to lose a cherished member of our extended family. One week ago while at competition our head mentor lost his Mom. It makes it difficult to continue but go out and make him proud. Again, I am truly sorry for your loss.

[JMT]

On behalf of Team 122 we send our condolence’s and prayers.

[M.Wong]

On behalf of Team 503 Frog Force, we send our condolences. Our prayers lie with the family and you team. We hope for the best for you all.

[rsegrest]

The Lufkin PantherBots extend our deepest condolences and prayers to team 369 and their families.

[mtaman02]

my condolences =(

[skimoose]

On behalf of team 228, I would like to extend our condolences to the family, friends, and team mates of Mr. Boffa. It is an incredible loss to the entire community when a caring and dedicated mentor's work is cut short.