John Deblin; Construction Worker, Canoeist

Construction worker John Deblin died of hypothermia Sunday when his outrigger canoe capsized in choppy waves off Oxnard and he was thrown into the sea for hours. He was 50.

Deblin was born Dec. 25, 1948, in Napoleon, Ohio. He graduated from Bowling Green University, where he was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

Deblin moved to California in 1973 and fell in love with the ocean, according to friends and relatives.

“He was very gentle, very giving, very loving and very protective,” said Debi Rickert, his longtime companion. “Sometimes we put people on pedestals, but he belonged there. He was head and shoulders above the rest.”

Ben Taitai, who knew Deblin for 20 years and paddled with him during the fatal accident, added: “John was a role model for anyone and everyone who knew him.”

Deblin worked construction so that he could be outside, but he lived to play near the ocean. His family said he spent much of his time at the beach lifting weights, or watching football and hockey.

He had a tremendous love and respect for Hawaiian culture and the ancient tradition of outrigger canoe paddling.

“He was doing what he loved with the people that he loved” when he died, Rickert said. “We should all be so lucky.”

In addition to Rickert, Deblin is survived by his son and his daughter-in-law, Bret and Sara Deblin.

Deblin’s family and close friends will hold a small private ceremony at 8 a.m. Saturday at the jetty on Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard. The ceremony will also honor Scott Sullenger, 35, of Oxnard.

Sullenger disappeared in the same canoeing accident. His body has not yet been recovered.

In the Hawaiian tradition, family and friends will paddle out in canoes and on surfboards. Someone will speak, then survivors and friends will throw leis into the water.

Arrangements are being handled by Payton Mortuary, Oxnard.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions to the Surfrider Foundation, the Oxnard Waveriders or a favorite charity.