Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
- MarshRider
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
he was one of a kind and his book is a great read
Miss him and Naomi
bonnie
Miss him and Naomi
bonnie
FAA Corporate Member
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NEVER GIVE UP!!
http://www.marshridermagazine.com
TexasAirboatAssociation 099
NebraskaAirboatAssociation Life Member
NEVER GIVE UP!!
http://www.marshridermagazine.com
- glades cat
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Conservation had a whole different meaning back then. Those Game and Freshwater Commission officers had their heart into it and understood the hands-on approach to conservation. Tom Shirley was the real deal.
That's a whole lot different than just stopping air boaters and checking for documents and mufflers nowadays.
That's a whole lot different than just stopping air boaters and checking for documents and mufflers nowadays.
"Leave a legacy...Preserve the irreplaceable"
12' x 7' sled built by Scorpion, Cont. O-470-K, 72" Whisper Tip
Rigged by Gladescat & sons in 2009
12' x 7' sled built by Scorpion, Cont. O-470-K, 72" Whisper Tip
Rigged by Gladescat & sons in 2009
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Thank you Frank.
Tom Shirley, was and always will be GFC's finest officer. No one can claim they love the Everglades anymore than he did. Tom gave his life to exploring and protecting one of the greatest of God's creation. He will always be my hero.

Tom Shirley, was and always will be GFC's finest officer. No one can claim they love the Everglades anymore than he did. Tom gave his life to exploring and protecting one of the greatest of God's creation. He will always be my hero.
LIVING FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR EVERGLADES..
WWW.MACKSFISHCAMP.COM A traditional cultural Gladesman property.
WWW.MACKSFISHCAMP.COM A traditional cultural Gladesman property.
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Never got to meet him, too bad we don't have many more like him. Awesome video too!
12' Open Palm Beach, IO-0470-L 260hp, 72" NGQ
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Wow - what a cowboy he was on an airboat - he was lucky to survive his younger days.
I thought I had gonads when running an airboat until seeing him do the gainer back flip dismount off of his.
Gladesman
I thought I had gonads when running an airboat until seeing him do the gainer back flip dismount off of his.
Gladesman
- Crazy Frog
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Thanks for sharing a great video! My dad and uncle participated in some of those animal rescues. In my eyes a good majority of those Gladesmen from that era are true heroes.
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Oughta show this video to all the a-holes that are up in Tallahassee passing all the restrictions on airboats in the Glades. This shows that we all genuinely care about the health of the Glades and are not out to destroy them. It's government that has lead to the decline of the quality of the swamp by allowing roads and canals cut through. Big business and politicians are to blame, not a bunch of country folk sliding around on airboats!!!! That's my 02 cents.
02 Predator 12' 0320 Lycoming
2019 Circle H 408 Windsor DD Sig Series 74"
99 Donzi 16 Classic 350 Vortec
2019 Circle H 408 Windsor DD Sig Series 74"
99 Donzi 16 Classic 350 Vortec
- scottyroll
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
I found that old video quite remarkable.
He truly was a great friend to the everglades
He truly was a great friend to the everglades

:Scotty-Roll:
FLAwless
1999 14ft Alumitech deckover. ZZ502. 2.37 Stinger. 4 blade WW Falcon Prop
FLAwless
1999 14ft Alumitech deckover. ZZ502. 2.37 Stinger. 4 blade WW Falcon Prop
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
The Game and Freshwater fish guys were totally separated from the saltwater side. They had a smaller budget,were paid less than the salt water guys. And had more trouble getting repairs to equipment.
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Yes , Tom was one of the nicest officers out in the glades, I think Tom lived off of SR84 next to the 7 11 store
Olways on the furst date
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Nope sw ranches
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Just got the book yesterday (Amazon), looking forward to a great read.
12' Open Palm Beach, IO-0470-L 260hp, 72" NGQ
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
my dad knew him and thought highly of him he said Tom would stop by the camp for lunch or dinner sometimes. My dad told me how those guys would race out there to see just how fast that fwc boat was lol I think one had a cont.470
aaof member
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
My father Leonard Bergeron knew him very good and always talked of him as a friend
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- Southern Airboat Member
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- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:11 pm
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
My father Leonard Bergeron knew him very good and always talked of him as a friend
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- Southern Airboat Member
- Posts: 3
- Joined: Tue Feb 16, 2016 8:11 pm
Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
My father Leonard Bergeron knew him very good and always talked of him as a friend
- glades cat
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
Was thinking of Tom Shirley during this high water period. I remember his speaking at a public hearing in Broward a few years ago on this very same topic. The discussion was area 3A north water flow project and how they were going to raise water levels there, fill in the Miami Canal and restore sheet flow. He spoke up and gave those ecologists an education on the Glades and how water levels critically influence the Glades. What a wealth of knowledge and experience he had.
"Leave a legacy...Preserve the irreplaceable"
12' x 7' sled built by Scorpion, Cont. O-470-K, 72" Whisper Tip
Rigged by Gladescat & sons in 2009
12' x 7' sled built by Scorpion, Cont. O-470-K, 72" Whisper Tip
Rigged by Gladescat & sons in 2009
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Re: Maybe gone but not forgotten - Tom Shirley
On behalf Of the Shirley family I would like toThank you for all The nice comments about my father the best way to describe Tom is that he was a Wildlife officer first and a Conservationist second he didnt care if you didn't have your Boat whistle or the proper location of your fl numbers or an anker under your deck exct. But if you were taking wild life Illegally Sooner or later Tom would get you Thanks again everyone. sign Tommy Shirley JR.