Carl Darenberg Jr., owner of Montauk Marine Basin in Montauk on the east end of New York’s Long Island, was found dead Monday in Montauk Harbor, not far from the marina that has been in his family for nearly 60 years.
Darenberg, 64, ran the full-service marina and boatyard that his father, Carl Darenberg Sr., a charter boat captain, bought in 1955. Darenberg Jr. ran the business with his daughter, Courtney, his son, Chase, and a nephew, Chris, according to the Uilhlein website.
East Hampton Town police Capt. Christopher Anderson told Newsday that police were investigating the death, but so far it did not appear that any criminality was involved. The Suffolk County medical examiner’s office was assisting in the investigation, Anderson said. Darenberg family members said they hoped video surveillance at the marina would yield some clues as to what happened to him.
“If ever there was a man who epitomized joie de vivre, it was my friend Carl,” Paul Monte, general manager of Gurney’s Inn Resort and Spa in Montauk, wrote on Darenberg’s Facebook page. “He lived every day with a gusto and spirit that was larger than life. It was a joy, an honor and a pleasure to know him, work with him and call him my friend.”
Darenberg was named the Montauk Chamber of Commerce’s Person of the Year in 2012.
“Carl Darenberg knows Montauk, probably better than anyone else. He is at every party, event, festival and fishing contest that’s held. And, on the following morning, he shares photos with the rest of the world in cyberspace, including Facebook,” read an editorial in the East Hampton Star announcing the honor.
Two shark-fishing tournaments, including Montauk’s first no-kill shark tourney, are held from his marina. He also was a yacht sales representative.
Darenberg had been a member of the chamber’s board of directors for 24 years. He was also affiliated with many other organizations, such as the Montauk Citizens Advisory Committee and the Montauk Boatman’s and Captain’s Association.
He helped organize many events, including the inaugural Montauk Seafood Festival last year, Montauk’s harbor festival and the chamber’s annual Old-Timers dinner, according to The Star.
