Sean Quinn Lappi, age 33, died unexpectedly at home on September 6, 2022. Sean was a Pacific Northwest native who was born in Seattle on August 8, 1989. He was raised on Bainbridge Island, Washington and was a 2008 graduate of Bainbridge High School.
Sean was an avid outdoorsman, a lifelong learner, and most of all, a kind and gentle soul with a radiant smile who was devoted to family and friends. He will be dearly missed.
Immediately following his graduation from high school, Sean embarked on an adventure to Santa Barbara, California where he resided for more than a decade. Sean worked for several years as a bartender at the Endless Summer Bar and Café in the Santa Barbara Harbor. He then worked for Cal Coast Adventures where he was a surf instructor and kayak guide. While supporting himself and working full time, Sean earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science with a minor in Geography from Arizona State University. Sean became deeply rooted in the Santa Barbara community making many lifelong friends. He understood the importance of giving back to the community and was a devoted volunteer at Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute (CIMWI).
Sean loved to travel. Sean’s father introduced him to surfing at a young age which became an enduring passion. His surfing adventures included trips to Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Mexico. He also enjoyed visiting Europe where he spent time with family living in Switzerland.
At the beginning of the pandemic, Sean returned to Bainbridge Island. He was employed as a Human Resources Specialist for the Department of Defense at Keyport. Upon his return to Washington, Sean embraced all things Northwest. He was an enthusiastic angler and spent time fishing and camping in the Olympic mountains and on the Oregon coast. In addition, he had a passion for music and was an avid Grateful Dead fan attending numerous Dead and Co. concerts over the past year at multiple venues including New York, San Francisco, and Colorado.
Sean was particularly close to his younger brother, Spencer, whom he considered his best friend. Over the last few years, they were able to spend considerable time together in Arch Cape, Oregon, surfing, fishing, golfing, and just hanging out.
Sean is survived by his mother and stepfather, Kati Lappi and Charlie Hamilton, his stepmother, Karen Cornell, his brother, Spencer Lappi, his stepsisters, Midori Richard (Stanton) and Charli Hamilton, his paternal uncle and aunt, Brian and Beatrice Lappi, his maternal aunt, Susan Quinn, as well as a large extended family. He was predeceased by his father, Eric Lappi, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
Donations may be made in Sean’s name to Channel Islands Marine Wildlife Institute (CIMWI), a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization. Tax ID #77-0648677. Donations can be made via check to CIMWI and mailed to PO Box 4250, Santa Barbara, CA 93140 or made with a credit card, debit card or PayPal through CIMWI’s website, https://tinyurl.com/donatetocimwi [tinyurl.com]
Relatives and friends are invited to a celebration of Sean’s life which will take place on Sunday, October 30, 2022, at 1pm at IslandWood, 4450 Blakely Ave. NE, Bainbridge Island, Washington.
Arrangements are entrusted to Cook Family Funeral Home of Bainbridge Island, WA.
