Remembering Jane Buffington

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague, Jane Buffington. An industry icon and mentor to many, Jane passed away on November 29th, 2016. She was 90 years old.

Jane’s career in yachting began in 1975 when she started as an apprentice at the Fraser Yachts San Diego office. That same year, Jane moved to Ft. Lauderdale to open the Fraser Yachts Florida office. Then just a small office with two rooms, Jane was instrumental in the growth of Fraser Yachts which attributed to the move into the current, larger office in Ft. Lauderdale. Jane went on to become a successful broker and then a partner with Fraser Yachts, working alongside founder David Fraser. In 2003, Jane helped broker the deal to sell Fraser Yachts to a group of Italian investors, which catapulted Fraser Yachts into the internationally recognized firm it is today. She worked with Fraser until her retirement in 2005, but remained close with the company. You could routinely see her walking the halls of the Ft. Lauderdale office and conversing with the staff.

Jane made significant contributions to the industry and to Fraser Yachts and her passion and zest for both and for life in general will be greatly missed.

Former Fraser CEO Carlo Agliardi stated “She is a giant of the yachting industry and I am particularly privileged to have shared a long period of friendship with her. A brave, unusual, out of the box thinker, she has been a smart and knowledgeable yacht broker but, more than anything else, a huge supporter of the industry always helping the young people to come in and try their chance. God be with her; I’m sure she will surprise Him as well!”

In lieu of flowers, her family has requested donations in her name to the International SeaKeepers Society.