Gisli Arni Kristjansson, 49, Kodiak, Alaska, passed away, May 9, 2015.  He was born on Sept. 12, 1966, in Vestmannajar, Iceland.  He lived there until he was 17 years old when he had the opportunity to come to America and work on his dad’s fishing boat in Washington.

Gisli was an excellent swimmer and he proved that in 2006 when the 32-foot cod fishing vessel Calico Dog capsized while rounding Priest Rock. He was treading water and thought, “I’m not gonna die” and in a last effort he swam to the Calico Dog, which was drifting away. He held on for 12 hours in 38 degree water. He was later rescued by the Alaska State Trooper vessel Stimson.

He was good at everything including survival.  His skiff once overturned in blizzard conditions. His father, Kristjan, recalls that he could see a bonfire from his boat and he could see the guys walking around the fire. They were stranded. Kristjan made an attempt to rescue them in his boat, only to run it aground. He was lucky enough to get free. A group of cannery workers from Akutan eventually rescued them after they were there for almost 20 hours.

Gisli worked on many boats — Northern Aurora, Unimak Enterprise, Lady Gudny, Ocean Hope II, and Irene H, just to name a few. He held many positions throughout the years — deckhand, deck boss, engineer, skipper and many others.  He will be rembered for being a nice guy and generous to a fault. He enjoyed motorcycles, fishing, friends, cooking and especially DVDs. He loved hanging out and watching movies. He was loved and will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his father, Kristjan Laxfoss Havardarson; step-mother, Teresa Laxfoss of Unalaska, Alaska; step-father, Vidar Sigurbjornsson of Iceland; brothers, Gunnar Laxfoss of Seattle, Washington, and Gunnar B. Laxfoss, of Bellingham, Washington; half-brother, Einar Vidarson of Iceland; step-brother, Brad Caple of Unalaska, Alaska; sisters, Sigurbjord Boel Laxfoss of Bellingham and Gudny K. Laxfoss of North Dakota; and daughter, Silvia Gislidottir of Keflavik, Iceland

Burial will be held in private by family. Gisli will be taken to Kelavik, Iceland.

Memorial contributions and any photos or stories are welcome and should be mailed to PO Box 1050, Unalaska, AK 99685.