Bayville Restaurant Owner, Fishing Icon, Dies After Hit-And-Run

BERKELEY, NJ — An Ocean County fishing legend and restaurant owner has died after being struck in a hit-and-run in September, his family announced.

Bob Popovics, 75, died from injuries received in the crash, his family shared on the Shady Rest Restaurant Facebook page Friday. Popovics had been at Jersey Shore University Medical Center since the crash on Sept. 23 and was transferred to hospice Wednesday.

"With prayers and thoughts from around the world, he was able to transition peacefully and quickly to his next journey," Popovics' daughter, Alexis, shared in the Facebook post.

More than 1,000 comments were made on the post as people sent their sympathies and well-wishes.

"On behalf of the staff at Double Trouble State Park, we offer our condolences to Bob's family and extended family and friends. He will be missed," employees with the state park wrote.

Other than running Shady Rest for nearly 60 years, Popovics also was a well-known saltwater fly fisherman and fly tyer whose "Pop Fleyes" set the standard for saltwater flies.

"We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of fly fishing legend Bob Pops. Bob was a veteran, local business owner, fishing legend, and all around great person," Seaside Park fishing store Grumpys Tackle wrote. "Some of us here were honored to call him a friend, while some have only had a few conversations with him, but he was always more than willing to help everyone out and share his extensive knowledge. The fishing community is worse off with his passing."

Popovics was struck while crossing the road in Seaside Heights on Sept. 23.

Genell A. Mcinaw, 50, had been drinking at three restaurants including Hooks Bar and Grill, where she had purchased four alcoholic drinks in a 36-minute span, before she hit Popovics, on the Boulevard in front of Klee's Bar and Grill, according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case.

She is charged with knowingly leaving the scene of a motor vehicle accident resulting in serious bodily injury to another person. Read more: Woman Charged In Seaside Heights Hit-And-Run Knew She Hit Someone: Affidavit