Toms River Fisherman Dies After Medical Episode 130 Miles Offshore

TOMS RIVER, NJ — A Toms River man has died following a medical episode while he was fishing 130 miles offshore of Montauk in New York, authorities said.

Sean R. Smida, 38, died Tuesday, East Hampton Town police said.

Smida was fishing aboard a private sport fishing vessel in the Atlantic Ocean, about 130 nautical miles east of Montauk Point, when he became unconscious, police said.

Friends on board the boat called the U.S. Coast Guard at 9:53 a.m. and began trying to resuscitate him while they returned to shore, authorities said.

They were met at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Montauk at 69 Star Island Road, where the Coast Guard told them to dock, at 1:42 p.m., and were met by East Hampton Town Police and EMS personnel, police said.

Smida was pronounced dead at the Coast Guard Station, authorities said.

Police said the preliminary investigation indicated Smida may have suffered a medical emergency before his death.

East Hampton Town Police detectives found no
evidence of suspicious circumstances, and foul play is not suspected, police said.

The cause of Smida's death remained pending the findings of the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office.

Smida worked at Grumpy's Tackle in Seaside Park and was part of a closeknit group of friends who own and work at the shop.

Smida loved teaching others how to fish and especially reveled in the opportunity to teach children during the Kids Fishing Clinic each summer through the Ocean County Parks and Recreation Department.

"There are no words to describe the heartbreak we are all feeling," a post on the Grumpy's Tackle Facebook page said. "Today, the Grumpy’s Tackle family lost one of our own. Sean Smida was more than an employee. He was family. He was a friend, an incredible fisherman, and someone who left a lasting impact on everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. Sean was taken from us far too soon while doing what he loved most."

"While so many people knew him for his passion for fishing, those closest to him knew that his greatest passion was his family," the post said. "Sean was a devoted husband to his wife, Krystal, and an incredible father to Connor and Scarlett. They were his entire world, and everything he did was for them. Sean’s kindness, loyalty, generosity, and willingness to help anyone who needed him made him one of a kind. He touched countless lives, and the overwhelming outpouring of love we’ve already seen is a testament to the incredible man he was."

"Our hearts are with Krystal, Connor, Scarlett, and the entire Smida family as they face the unimaginable days ahead. We ask that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time," the post said. "Sean will forever be a part of the Grumpy’s Tackle family. His friendship, his laugh, his passion, and the memories he gave us will never be forgotten."