August John Felando

“A True Steward of the Sea”

02.11.1929 – 06.20.2023

There was probably no one more passionate or qualified to discuss the US Tuna Industry than August John (Augie) Felando. As president of the American Tunaboat Association in San Diego for over 31 years, he represented not only the fishermen but the United States as well. As a Proctor in Admiralty, August was designated the U.S. Government’s expert advisor on fisheries during the United Nation’s Law of the Sea Conference from 1971 to 1981.

Born the first of three sons in San Pedro, California, in 1929 to August Felando and Jesusa (Susie) Inchausti Felando. His father was born on the island of Vis, Croatia, and his mother’s family came from Guernica in the Basque province of Spain. He fished on two-family owned tuna and sardine purse seine vessels during 1946-1950. In 1951, Augie became a co-owner of the F/V Challenger, a tuna baitboat, and as managing owner sold the vessel in 1958 for conversion to a tuna seiner. From 1960-1991, he managed the affairs of the American Tunaboat Association, including participation in hearings before the California State legislature, Congressional Committees, and Federal agencies. During this same period, he was an advisor to the U.S. Commissioners of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission and to the U.S. State Department. Augie was a member of the Tuna Advisory Subpanel to the Pacific Fishery Management Council, and of the General Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commissioners for the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission; founder and first president of the National Council for Fishing Vessel Safety and Insurance; and too many other accomplishments to mention.

August received his LLB degree from Loyola School of Law in 1954 and proudly served as a Staff Judge Advocate in the United State Air Force.

In 1966, then Mayor Frank Curran appointed August as chairman of the Citizen’s Committee for a colossal 168’ Cabrillo statue at the entrance of San Diego Bay, similar to the Statue of Liberty. The committee was tasked to secure the support of Congress and appropriate government agencies as well as the government of Portugal. The US government subsequently withdrew their support and the project fell through. August still held a lifelong relationship with the Cabrillo Monument as well as the yearly Cabrillo Festival.

An author of many publications, his passionate description of the demise of the US tuna industry is chronicled in his book, “The Tuna Porpoise Controversy “one of his most gratifying accomplishments.

August was also a gifted artist. In high school he and a classmate (who later became an LA Time cartoonist) were allowed by the teacher to design and draw as they liked. Editorial and athletic cartoons were published in school publication. Augie continued with watercolors and charcoal drawings filling his home with his beautiful artwork.

Augie loved his hometown of San Pedro and visited family and friends often. He played football against his mother’s wishes and snuck away to practices and games. It wasn’t until after his father had passed did Augie find out that his father had also played for the San Pedro Pirates and even scored a touchdown.

At the age of 13, Augie joined his father on his first fishing trip – it was during World War II and part of his job was to keep an eye out for any submarines or Japanese activity. His first real fishing experience was the summer after he graduated from high school on his dad’s boat, “Western Sky.” Fishing allowed him to pay for college and then law school.

Augie met the love of life, Ann Fritzsche in college – he attended Loyola University, Ann attended Marymount College – now known as Loyola Marymount. They married in1958 in Pasadena, California. They loved to travel together but Augie always had to mix a bit of business into most every trip. They lived two years in San Pedro while Augie practiced as a Maritime Attorney. After accepting the position at the American Tunaboat Association, they moved to San Diego where they raised their family in the Point Loma community until their passing. There love was so strong, Ann always referred to Augie as her “boyfriend.”

Augie was a man of faith – he was a faithful church goer and prayed the rosary every night. In 1951 as a law student, Augie was Chairman of “Mary’s Hour” held at the Los Angeles Coliseum – an adoration of the Blessed Mother with over 70,000 in attendance. In his opening remarks, he described the attendees as “a living rosary – each an individual bead joined by the strong chain of faith in God and love for His Mother.”

Augie enjoyed his food and family gatherings - his famous family “Fish Dinners” were epic. He would spend days preparing the Dungeness crab and recruited his sons and grandsons to learn the practice of cleaning, cutting and marinating process. Each year, Augie and his brother Phil had a competition on whose marinade was better. After yearly trips with his brother Phil, he would describe the meals they ate before he relayed the sites they saw. Once Ann passed, you would see Augie often at the San Diego Yacht enjoying a large breakfast and newspaper.

A competitor in many ways, physical fitness was a lifelong practice. Augie walked, and walked and walked. If he invited you for a walk, you had to be prepared to go the distance. Walking Shelter Island was a daily event if he was in town – even in his late 80’s he was still enjoying the beauty of his beloved “Point Loma.” Ann and Augie were lifelong season ticket holders cheering on the Chargers and Padres. Later in life they shared that same passion watching their children’s and grandchildren’s sports activities. Augie’s “Picks” for the NFL football season, it included a phone call on Sunday mornings for family members to choose the winning teams. A crown and scepter were awarded to the winner by him at the end of the season.

“Nono” and “Grandpa” will be deeply missed by his six grandchildren, Liz Felando, Stephen Fisk Felando, Tess Felando, Christian Ford, Jonathan Ford and Audrey Mattson. He is survived by his children Augie, Juliann (Jack), Martin, Suzanne and Stephen, as well as his brother Gregory. He is pre-deceased by his beloved wife Ann, his parents and brother Phil.

Augie and the San Diego harbor are synonymous – a favorite walk and drive for him was to the Cabrillo Monument to view the city and harbor he loved. A wonderful way to memorialize Augie – eat some tuna and take that same walk or drive and think of him when you look out over San Diego Bay.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to “Croatia Lacrosse Foundation” to honor Augie’s Croatian heritage and his love of athletics. To donate, please Type in this link: https://croatialacrossefoundation.org/#page-content