Manchester entrepreneur Tommy Tognarelli has passed away from cancer at the age of 41.
Tognarelli co-founded PlainSailing.com in 2013 with his twin brother Adi to make it easier to book a sailing holiday.
The platform allows people to find and book a yacht or catamaran in Greece, Croatia, the Mediterranean or Caribbean.
“We’re devastated to report that our co-founder Tommy Tognarelli lost his battle with cancer at the end of June, aged just 41. We’re all heartbroken,” the company said in a statement.
“Tommy was instrumental in shaping the company. His leadership and vision helped build the website into what it is today, and we had so many plans for the future – be it adding new cruising grounds in Thailand and Australia, rolling out an app to make it easier for our customers, and using AI to try and smooth out the customer journey even more than it already is.
“Tommy was brilliant at managing bookings, priding himself on his response times and often second-guessing questions before customers even know they have them.
“He had lots of happy repeat customers, including many who would simply WhatsApp him direct to ask for boat availability.
“His enthusiasm will be greatly missed on company trips away in the Med and the Caribbean, as will his skill and patience when trying to moor up in fierce rain and howling winds.”
Tognarelli was also a star in his local community in Stockport: as a Scout Leader for over 20 years he helped thousands of kids, while he co-founded the Marple Beer Run, which has raised in excess of £20,000 for local causes.
He leaves behind wife Fallon and four daughters, with the eldest just eight years of age. There is a crowdfunder in his memory in aid of the local Scout group.