LI Man Killed In Plane Crash Mourned: 'He Lived His Best Life'

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A day after his tragic death, a shocked and heartbroken community is mourning Kent I. Feurring, 57, of Sagaponack, who died when a plane he piloted crashed in East Hampton on Thursday.

Across social media, many found comfort that Feurring died doing what he loved best — flying.

"He always supported me in my photography and film. Always," said Bryan Downey. "Kent Feurring died doing what he loved to do. Flying. RIP, my friend. Now you have your wings."

His former wife Stacie Pierce told Patch, "He lived his best life."

"Kent took care of himself and took care of many people, especially if they were in need of something," she said. "He was a fix-it kind of man. He was truly loved by the town — and Sag Harbor has encountered a huge loss.”

Friend Sidney Brito added: "Kent was a very warm person, kind, and always had some upright words to say to me every time we met. I could feel and see in his eyes the sincerity and kindness every time we spoke. A very sad loss to his family and friends."

Tanya Malott shared her memories: "Everyone will tell you Kent always had a smile on his face. It's true, he was always smiling, laughing, and stopping to chat with the dozens of people he ran into in a day," she said. "He was always at Sagtown Coffee, and sometimes we called him the mayor of Sag Harbor."

Malott said she knew Feurring best during the years their kids were friends in high school at the Ross School.

"We went to soccer and basketball games together, and did a trip to Costa Rica together with our boys for M-term. Our kids were always sleeping at each other's houses after a party, most of the time at Kent's because he had the fun house. And because he was a good, responsible parent we all trusted. I loved his way of empowering kids. He was a great leader and organizer himself who had such a gentle way of teaching our kids like they were smart young adults who could handle a lot of responsibility."

She added: "I love that my son reached out to him after college for advice about film production, and Kent took him to a nice dinner to share his knowledge. I never even heard about it until now. Kent was like that, always quietly offering to help people out, always grateful for the friendship and support of others."

In their last conversation a month ago, they ran into each other at Sagtown, and ended up laughing and chatting for an hour, Malott said.

"Whatever else he was there to do, he just dropped it, to talk to a friend. I had moved away in April, so it felt like we had some catching up to do. . . Kent was a well-loved person who loved a lot of people. I have noticed that everyone has a story about just seeing Kent, or just talking to him, because that's who he was —a kind and generous person who made time for everyone. His loss in Sag Harbor will be deeply felt for a very long time"

Others shared photos, of a man whose life was filled with love and friends and the son he adored, Jonas.

Alex Lawson, a good friend of Feurring's son Jonas in high school — both love surfing and shooting video, Feurring's field of expertise — shared memories of the film advice he'd received from Feurring, that his mother also mentioned.

"It was the last time I saw Kent, around December, and I wanted advice for getting into the film industry," Lawson said. "He took me out for dinner at Sen — and paid for it — and gave me all the knowledge he had to offer. He even invited me onto one of his sets. He was a very generous man. He was also so kind and welcoming when we came to hang out at his house over the years."

According to East Hampton Town Police Chief Michael Sarlo, the plane crash took place off Springy Banks Road, on the water's edge of Three Mile Harbor at about 12:33 p.m. Responding officers located a small single engine plane with the pilot, the single occupant of the plane, deceased, he said.

Witnesses reported seeing what appeared to be a wing that broke off the fuselage before the aircraft spiraled downward into the water, police said.

EHTPD detectives secured the scene, and the Federal Aviation Administration, National Transportation Safety Board and the Suffolk Medical Examiner's office are responding to further investigate the "tragic crash," Sarlo said.

Feurring was president of the East Hampton Aviation Association — a fitting position for a man who loved nothing more than to soar in blue skies.

According to its website, the East Hampton Aviation Association was formed "to represent the interests of local general aviation and historic plane enthusiasts including pilots, owners, and operators of aircraft at the East Hampton Airport."

"Fly with the angels, my friend," Tanya Malott wrote. "We miss you here, and you remind me to live and love each day like there is no tomorrow. Your life brought so many smiles and so much joy. Rest In peace."

Anyone with additional information or who may have witnessed the crash is asked to contact East Hampton Town Police detectives at 631-537-7575.