08.10.2009

Gino Koster 1961 -2009

We have received the belated news of the death on September 30th of Gino Koster general secretary of ESTA and manager of safety, health environment and quality for Mammoet Europe, following a short period of ill health.
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Gino Koster

Koster was a keen advocate of ESTA and presented the annual ESTA crane and transport awards as part of a humorous double act with president Christian-Jacques Vernazza, the last of which was in Paris in May when his typically ebullient self.

The young Koster grew up in the Rotterdam area and was interested in cranes from a very young age, he worked with Zwagerman B.V. in Vlaardingen during his school holidays as an assistant in heavy haulage and a planning engineer. He started his full time career with Projector Transport Services where he first developed his international heavy transport contacts.

He began writing for a number of specialised transport publications in the 1990’s and then in 1998 moved to crane and access company Peinemann, joining Mammoet in 2005 and becoming general secretary of ESTA in 2008. He was just 48 when he died. Without question he will be missed by many.

The cremation ceremony was held on Wednesday in Schiedam


In a tribute to him Marijke Zwagerman said:

“This sad news really swept me from my feet, left me speechless and very sad, as we had no knowledge of the bad health condition of Gino.

- A very good friend has passed away, much too young!
- A valuable source of knowledge in the field of Cranes and Transport has gone.

Personally, I have loved working with Gino and I am glad that I have had the honor to know him. I have had the opportunity to share special and funny moments with him during the performance of our jobs and the preparation and the realization of ESTA activities.
We are very sad that Gino has passed away, much too young and much too soon; a big loss. “

Christian-Jacques Vernazza , president of ESTA and owner of French crane and access company, Mediaco added:

"On September 30th 2009 our ESTA General Secretary Gino Koster passed away. Although he remained positive and courageous until the unfortunate news about his health was known, little time was left to him."

"Gino always thought in challenges, not in problems. For some of us he was not only a colleague but also a friend, tutor or sometimes even a mentor. He was passionate about his profession, our industry, and strove to bring it to new developments, innovation and sharing knowledge within the international world of Cranes and Transport."

"He could put this effort in to real action and powerful words which have been published several times. He did this not only as a safety manager for Mammoet but also as general secretary of ESTA. I think that we as the ESTA team will miss him very much.”