Stephen Tartaglino

Growing up, he spent his summers at Third Beach in Middletown, where he first learned to sail on a Sunfish. His family also introduced him to larger sailboats, sparking a lifelong love of the sea. In his late teens, he worked on boat maintenance and completed many deliveries of two C&C sailboats across New England. His twenties were filled with competitive racing on high-performance catamarans, a passion he shared with his sister, Sandra.

Later, he relocated to Montana, where he and his wife, Genia, raised their three children. Throughout his 30s, 40s, and 50s, he continued sailing on Flathead Lake while engaging with numerous volunteer organizations and professional communities, including the Lions Club, building associations, and youth hockey coaching. He also led a team in constructing a community ice rink. From 1980 to 2015, he was a self-employed builder and general contractor, eventually finishing his career as the Construction Manager/Site Supervisor for Habitat for Humanity of Flathead Valley in 2024. Sadly, Genia passed away from cancer in 2017.

Today, he is grateful to be semi-retired. He joined the BBA Board this year after relocating back to the area with his wonderful wife, Lisa. They now live on their 39-foot sailboat, enjoying the waters of Narragansett Bay with their beloved Golden Retrievers. He is also delighted to be closer to family, including his stepdaughter, who attends Roger Williams University, studies engineering, and competes on their D-1 sailing team.

In 2019, his sister Sandra tragically lost her life in a boating accident north of the Newport Bridge. She was struck and killed by a 28-foot powerboat while sailing her catamaran on a clear day; the driver claimed he never saw her. This heartbreaking event inspired the formation of the BBA. His involvement is driven by a commitment to making the bay safer for everyone, preventing others from experiencing such a loss, and sparing boat operators the burden of causing a tragedy due to inattention.