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First of all, we are overcome with grief and this has been a very hard time for the family. We have also had a lot to deal with regarding David and DeDe’s business ventures going forward. I’ve spoken to my sister, Cathryn Houghton, and on behalf of the family, I wanted to let you know our vision for Aqua Safaris Scuba Center.
We feel that David and DeDe would want to keep the Scuba Center going, so our plan is to reopen the shop, and explore future possibilities, one of which is to look for a buyer. Aqua Safaris helped David and DeDe make so many friends and live a lifestyle of travel and fun, so we would like to continue what they started. Please check back here for hours of operations and services as we scale the scuba center back up. If you have questions, I can be contacted at 650 888-1816 or john at johnhoughton dot com.
This is the best news I have heard in a long time. I can’t imagine dealing with their loss and business endeavors the loss is hard enough.All I can say is THANK YOU!!!! This is a gift from the family that David and De De would have wanted,this shop brought so many people together for fun and adventure,in the spirit of the Houghtons I know the staff will continue David and DeDe’s dream. I can’t even think of the right words I miss my friends every day. I drive by the Watsonville airport every weekend on my way to work on the scuba dive boats in Monterey. It’s a bitter sweet feeling. I always thanked DeDe for the position I’m in with my diving career. She always put it back on me for all the hard work I have done. John, Cathryn and the Houghton family thank you so much for even dealing with this right now.
I am happy that Aquasafaris is going to remain open and I hope that the customers and friends will continue to support the business. It will never be the same with the key people no longer there and I agree that they would be pleased at the efforts to keep it going. I hope that should the need come to sell that some of those that love it and support it will maybe be able to continue it, it would be a sad day to see it close. They had such a passion and love of diving and provided a means to share that with the community here as well as afar. For now as Dave (and DeDe, Luke and Ryan at times) would say “Let’s Dive” and “Have Fun”.
Linda (not a diver, but a Mom and Nana) who shared with them in their fun!