We Mourn the Passing of a Friend and Fishing Giant! - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

JFigliuolo · 03-16-2008, 06:35 AM

This saddens me. A true gentleman, probably the nicest friendliest shop I ever stepped foot in. Both him and John were two of the best.

Bill L · 03-16-2008, 06:54 AM

My condoles to his family and friends

. I only knew Don from patronizing his shop, but as others have said, he was one of the nicest people you would ever want to meet, and you instantly recognized what a fine person he was. Rest in Peace Captain

striperjerk1 · 03-16-2008, 07:11 AM

R.I.P. Capt Don , my thoughts and prayers are with you,re family and friends.

thewaterfordstriper · 03-16-2008, 08:30 AM

My thoughts and prayers are with his family. I really enjoyed stopping by the shop to talk with him.

splshnplug · 03-16-2008, 08:44 AM

our prayers and thoughts are with capt. Don and his family. Don did a lot for everyone. i can't tell you how much he did for tri state tournaments. did'nt matter what the weather was he was open 24 hours cooking all night to feed everyone that came in. he was always doing whatever he could to put a smile on a kids face when they came into the shop to go fishing. Capt. Don you missed. REST IN PEACE.

Mr. Sandman · 03-16-2008, 12:28 PM

Didn't know him as well as many of you did. We chatted a few times in the shop and seemed like a good guy. My memory of him is a number of years back when he sold me my first Habs needle. It was in the early Habs days and there were none on the wall just one he was tinkering with behind the register. While checking out, I said, wow, that is a good looking plug... and he proudly handed it to me to check out and proceeded to tell me about J. Habs and his work. We talked a bit more and he asked me where I fished...I was on my way to CH for a week of solo fishing and I said if you get any more in before I leave in a couple days give me a call...I would come back to buy some. He said that he wasn't expecting some for a while but then slid the panel back under the counter and he had 3 needles and he said he would sell me one of these if I wanted. He sold me a black and purple needle and added his own bucktail tied siwash tail hook. My trip was memorable and that plug was killer.

I am saddened to hear of his passing. My sympathies to his family.

zimmy · 03-16-2008, 01:39 PM

very sorry to hear this. Thoughts and prayers to his family.

Backbeach Jake · 03-16-2008, 02:39 PM

I never had the pleasure to meet him, but from his reputation, I know that I missed a good man. My thoughts and prayers for him and his family.

tattoobob · 03-16-2008, 03:39 PM

rockyroady · 03-16-2008, 03:55 PM

Terrible news. Told it like it was and willing to point you in the right direction.

Tight lines Captain Don.

cow tamer · 03-16-2008, 06:42 PM

Sad news. Don was one of the good guys. He freely shared what he knew and he knew a lot and enjoyed life. I will miss him.

fishaholic18 · 03-16-2008, 07:34 PM

Thoughts & Prayers for his family

pmueller · 03-16-2008, 07:43 PM

A sad day for sure. RIP Captain Don, fair winds tightlines.

Finaddict · 03-16-2008, 10:05 PM

While I didn't know him as well as many on this board, he always treated [me] everyone as if he knew them for life ... always friendly in the shop, helpful on the telephone and remembered you too ... knew his stuff, was a great guy. A sad day.

Thoughts and prayers to his family.

bobber · 03-17-2008, 05:56 AM

sad to hear when such a nice guy passes on- reminds us all of our own mortality...... and what is truly important in life; family freinds, honesty, hard work.................. Don exemplified them all.

RIP Captain

good2hook · 03-17-2008, 09:10 AM

My condolences to his family, thoughts and prayers are being sent.

vanstaal · 03-18-2008, 07:03 AM

R.I.P old friend

LeCounts1099 · 03-18-2008, 09:58 AM

RIP Captain Don!

STREETFIGHT · 03-18-2008, 11:02 AM

wow- i dont know what to say- he was a great guy & i will miss him. he booked part of my trip to alaska this comming summer with close freinds of his who own a lodge & he set me up with his old deck boss while im there.... the stories we will tell of him will make the trip for sure.

rest in peace cap

hardcore from shore · 03-19-2008, 12:01 AM

All of us from MSBA who fished RI for Tri-State or the MDA or any other tourney or if we were just extending the season always enjoyed our visits with Captain Don. He made everyone feel welcome whether we bought or not (but we usually did buy).

He was not afraid to tell you where and when the fish would be biting and he was as right as anyone could be. As someone said above I believe he enjoyed putting others on fish as nmuch as loved catching them himself (if not more).

Condolences to friends and family, he was a wonderful man.

Bill
President MSBA

linesider50 · 03-19-2008, 08:57 AM

I grew up in CT but moved to NJ for work 25 years ago. On a striper fishing trip I met an amazing man. I walked into a tackle shop at Dunns Corner in RI.
I asked the big guy behind the counter what was happening locally. He gave me a normal fishing report . We talked a bit and the subject came up that I was just up from NJ and was looking to tag some stripers. His eyes lit up and he told me to wait till the other customers left. He sat down and proceeded to draw me a map detailing spots rocks and all and jotting down the lures to use each area. This was the start of many years of respect and friendship.
I have not been in great health myself so my trips up have dwindled. I got a chance last year to see Don again and his wife also. We had not seen each other for years but with that same gleam in his eye he shook my hand.
The fishing community will miss Capt. Don. He was one of the great personalities of out sport. I hear his wife and son will open the shop this year. My wife and I will have to drive up and stop to pay our respects.
Anyone who happens to go to his services please send best wishes from Fred and Sara in NJ

179 · 03-19-2008, 06:31 PM

Very sad news indeed. R.I.P Captain Don I am sure you will be looking down on all the South County surf fishermen.

eelskimmer · 03-19-2008, 06:33 PM

Glad to hear Don's shop will be opened by his wife. I will
certainly stop by to offer my sincere condolences for a
man whose life was well lived. I am sure Don is with the
Lord now. There were a few times I was in his shop on a
Sunday AM and he said he had to close, be back in an hour.
The first time I asked if he had a hot spot to fish and his
honest reply was he had to go to church. Not many of us
go to church anymore, never mind admitting to it. But
Don was a straight shooter in everything. He will be
sorely missed.

Got Stripers · 03-21-2008, 11:49 AM

Don was such a nice guy, class act and a true gentlemen; rest in peace.

kayaman · 03-24-2008, 10:45 PM

he always greeted you with a smile and offer of caribou stew cooked on the wood stove when you walked in in the middle of the night during the tri-state tournaments, a real welcome on a cold miserable October night.... I will miss him and offer my condolences to his family.

may the wind always be at his back, and his lines tight.....