Honoring the Memory of Joseph Sutorowski

Joseph Howard Sutorowski lived most of his life on Florida’s Emerald Coast, graduating from Choctawhatchee High School in 1966. His 40-year career was spent in the fine dining and wine business. He was well known in the local restaurant industry. Joseph passed away November 22, 2011 peacefully at his home in Sarasota. Joseph was fortunate to have had the opportunity to travel and to meet people from all over the world. Joseph always talked about growing up on the Emerald Coast. He would tell stories about surfing or boating, fishing or crabbing in Choctawhatchee Bay. From Cinco Bayou to Hogtown Bayou, the Bay provided hours and hours of enjoyment and relaxation. His family and friends, in memory of Joseph Howard Sutorowski, recently provided funds to Northwest Florida State College Foundation in support of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance (CBA). CBA coordinates programs that help sustain and provide optimum utilization of Choctawhatchee Bay. After meeting with Julie Terrell, CBA Director, and learning more about CBA’s Monitoring, Education, Restoration, and Research programs, Mrs. Linda Clark, Joseph’s wife, also committed to making a contribution to CBA programs in Joseph’s memory for three years. “He [Joseph] loved this area and he would want to help protect it for future generations,” Linda remarked. “We actually found a newspaper clipping from the Destin Log, where Joseph was interviewed over 20 years ago, and at that time [he] expressed his concern about what the growth and development might do to the natural environment.” Mrs. Clark’s first annual gift was received through the Foundation earlier this year.“CBA programs are helping to protect and restore the natural habitats in Choctawhatchee Bay that Joseph cherished so dearly,” Julie Terrell remarked. “CBA’s programs are funded through grants, memberships and donations from the community,“ mentioned Julie Terrell. “To keep these essential programs available, we need the support of families and friends who love Choctawhatchee Bay and want to ensure that this resource is around for generations to come—Joseph Sutorowski, through his family and friends, is definitely helping to make this possible.” To find out about CBA programs, memberships and volunteer opportunities, visit  www.basinalliance.org, follow us on Facebook and Twitter, call (850) 200-4171 or email CBA@nwfsc.edu.