In Bob's memory donations can be made to the;
Bob Baranaskas Scholarship Fund
P.O. Box 398
Northport, NY 11768
There was not a day that my father didn’t climb into that cockpit and realize that he was entrusted with a piece of our American military heritage so that he could tell our country’s story. It is a story that doesn’t end with his death and it is a story that is as important today as it was when his P-40 was built during World War II. Through Warbirds Over Long Island his passion was to get people in touch with our heritage which is why you would find him after a flight going over to the fence line and talking to visitors and guests about the fighter he flew and the men who went into combat with it.
Pilots especially will appreciate the power of what I say when I tell you he was much more than a loving father and devoted grandfather. He was – in every sense of the word – my wingman. And now my wingman is gone but our mission continues. I believe every one of us who is part of the Warbird community has an obligation to employ these former weapons of war as my father did, as living tributes to those who preserve, protect and defend. My father lived that credo to his last moments.
Christopher Baranaskas
Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silver wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence; hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air.
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or eagle flew -
And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sancity of space,
Put out my hand and touched the face of God.
--John Gillespie Magee, Jr. 1941
Tributes to Bob Baranaskas
WindCheck Sailing Magazine: A tribute to Bob in regards to his support of youth sports and in particular his leadership in starting the Cow Harbor Sailing Team
Moose 135 Web Gallery: A nice gallery of photos of Bob and the P-40
Air Show Traveler Magazine: A personal tribute to Bob from our dear friend Wayne Matuziak owner and founder of Airshow Traveler Magazine
Newsday.com: News report on Bob Baranaskas from local news outlet.
AirShow Buzz: A Forum discussion
