Tim Mazur, 58; Manager of Catalina Cruises Fleet

Tim Mazur, who as general manager of Catalina Cruises helped make year-round water transportation to Santa Catalina Island a reality, died of a heart attack while in Baja California, a spokesman said.

Mazur, 58, suffered a heart attack Jan. 11 while on a trip to provide medical services to the Meling Ranch in Baja California, corporate spokesman Dick Skuse said Thursday.

Mazur was in Mexico with members of the Flying Samaritans, a charitable medical relief group.

Skuse said that after Navy service in World War II, Mazur hired on as a deckhand on small water taxis operating off the Southland coast and worked his way to general manager of Catalina Cruises in 1974.

The five-ship Catalina Cruises fleet makes daily trips from San Pedro and Long Beach to the resort island, 26 miles off the Southern California coast.

Mazur is survived by his mother, Mary Mazur, a daughter, Kristen Mazur Lloyd, a son, Tim Mazur, and a granddaughter.

Mazur’s body will be cremated and his remains will be scattered at sea Monday at during a funeral aboard one of the Catalina Cruises boats, Skuse said.