Tom Katica of ZF Marine Group passes away

SEATTLE — Thomas Katica of ZF Marine Group died at home on Whidbey Island on July 8, 2010, after a two-year battle with cancer. He was 56.

Katica was the group’s longtime account manager for the western region.

“This is a great loss, not only for ZF Marine, but the marine industry as a whole,” Wolfgang Schmid, president and general manager of ZF Marine, said in a statement. “Tom’s passion for our business and this industry was clearly evident every single day. His warm smile greeted everyone he met, and his infectious personality created many life-long friendships. We extend our deepest sympathies to his fiancée Sara Jewell and the entire Katica family.”