Heaviest of hearts... farewell - we lost a good one... 2/1/23

[Jigman13]

It's with the heaviest of hearts I post this... I lost my dad yesterday in his fight against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. His decline was too quick and too steep, his heart gave out from the stress and the fight. Ironically, 3 or 4 hours prior to passing, he was officially listed on the lung transplant list.

I won't post a massive post even though he deserves one, because I'm utterly heartbroken. It was a brutal struggle the last 5 days. He fought his ass off but succumbed to the disease. He was 72 years old.

I fish because of him. I raise my kids like he taught me to. I make countless daily decisions using the knowledge and instincts he instilled in me. I'm just really going to miss him. Words cannot describe it... he was salty and loved his blue water. He was at home at the helm of his boat. He navigated with pride.

Fare winds and calm seas Daddy-O. You left an irreparable mark and ever lasting impression on the world's of those who knew you. You'll always be loved and now, forever missed.

RIP Dad... your forever thankful son, Jeremy

[FASTEDDIE29]

Oh Jeremy! I’m so sorry to here this news! A great man indeed, your Dad, your Captain, your teacher and he taught you well. May he Rest In Peace!

[Hookmanski]

I'm so sorry for your loss man, losing a parent is one of the hardest things to go through. May his memory live on forever within you and your children.

[Mikey topaz]

I’m sorry Jeremy, I remember all the offshore trips you always told me about fishing the deep. I know you guys killed a lot of good fish together. I know he will be missed. 😢.

[ScowardNJ]

So sorry to hear this. Sincere condolences to you and your family Jeremy.

[NJSquatch]

Sorry for your loss

[Lard Almighty]

So sorry to hear this. You have my sincerest condolences.

[crewchief2]

So sorry to hear, thoughts and prayers with you and your family.

[bunker dunker]

sorry for your loss,remember the good times and know he will always be with you

[thmyorke1]

I'm sorry for your loss, Jeremy. take care

[Gerry Zagorski]

So sorry to hear this. My thoughts a prayers to you and your family Jeremy.

[oelgnal1]

Jeremy, my heart and prayers go out to you with my condolences to you and your family.

[icebadger]

Sorry for your loss, may your father rest in peace. you will see him again on god's waters in heaven. god makes us fishermen to do just that fish together here on earth as well as in heaven.keep living life just as your dad showed you and remember all the good times. may god be with you and your family during these hard times.

[baetis]

Jeremy,

So sorry for your loss. I know you were doing your best to get him through this. Condolences to you and your family.

[ALS Mako]

So sorry to hear of your loss

[AndyS]

Sorry to hear this, I wish him fair seas and following winds.

[DanH]

Sorry for your loss , but it is those that are let behind that suffer because he now is in a beautiful place . Trust me when I tell you that he is really not that far away .

[RAMMFISH66]

My sincere condolences to you and your family. RIP Dad!!!

[Flygaff]

Sorry for your loss.

[Capt. Lou]

Sorry for your loss , however the memories can get you through .

[Jigman13]

Thank you all. The kind words help.

We held my father's viewing yesterday from 1 pm to 5 pm in Edison, NJ. One lengthy viewing, no funeral. Over 200 people attended from local NJ, all over NY state out to Montauk, northern CT, Maryland, Florida and Hawaii. Seeing the sheer volume of people was immensely comforting. Many people spoke, everybody cried--most importantly, everybody smiled.

The funeral director couldn't believe it. He told me he only sees this on very rare occasions when the person who passed is very young. My father had a positive impact on many people's lives. This outpouring of respect and remembrance helped soften the blow, just a little.

The entire time we had a 150 song Playlist going of my dad's favorite Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, U2, Jeff Beck, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Credence, Rolling Stones, Dire Straits and more... it was a send-off of epic proportions for a simple man from the Bronx who resided in Colonia. The wall around the casket was draped in gorgeous flowers.

Before saying my final goodbyes, i slipped him pictures of my kids who he loved dearly, and a re-rigged Green Machine stinger. He gave it to me in October after our last tuna trip to the Hudson Canyon. The line was chafed, and I do the bulk of the trolling lure maintenance. He never questioned my crimps : )

While the tuna here on Earth can now rest a bit with him no longer navigating the canyons of the North Atlantic, I wanted to send him where he was going prepared and ready for action.

Find the temp break where ever you are, Capt. Look over your shoulder and I'll be there running the cockpit, deploying the spread. Love ya Daddy-O!

[Matt A.]

Deepest condolences.

[jmurr711]

My condolences man. As long as you have the memories he is never truly gone