Clifford Joseph Boisa Obituary, SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — Clifford Joseph Boisa, a 79-year-old resident of Sutter County, California, has died following a tragic boat capsizing incident near Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay. Boisa was among 20 adults aboard a 50-foot cabin cruiser that overturned and sank Tuesday evening during what authorities believe was a memorial gathering.
According to officials, Boisa was recovered from the water after the vessel, identified as the Volare, encountered trouble in the bay. Emergency responders performed CPR after bringing him ashore, but he was pronounced dead despite lifesaving efforts. A family dog aboard the vessel also died in the incident.
The privately owned cabin cruiser was carrying 20 adults when it capsized near Alcatraz Island. Authorities said the boat may have been struck by a large wave or rapidly taken on water, causing it to overturn and sink in a shipping channel approximately 120 feet deep.
Sixteen people were rescued following the accident, while three others remain missing. The U.S. Coast Guard later suspended its active search after crews spent about 23 hours covering more than 950 square nautical miles of water without locating the missing passengers or recovering the submerged vessel.
Officials said many of those aboard the boat were members of the same extended family who had gathered for a memorial service. One survivor reportedly told authorities that the group had been honoring her late sister when the tragedy occurred, turning what was meant to be a moment of remembrance into a devastating loss.
The search and rescue response involved U.S. Coast Guard crews, helicopters, rescue vessels, dive teams, San Francisco Fire Department personnel, thermal imaging technology, and other resources. Authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the sinking, including weather conditions, wave activity, and vessel operations.
As the community mourns the loss of Clifford Joseph Boisa and the others affected by the tragedy, his memory remains connected to the lives of those who knew him and the family gathering that ended in heartbreaking circumstances. Loved ones, friends, and the wider community continue to grieve as authorities work to understand the events that led to the fatal accident