Surfers Remember Friend, Jeb Stuart With Montauk Paddle Out

A local surfer was remembered on Sunday with a paddle out by fellow surfers to remember their friend. According to an obituary in the East Hampton Star, John L. Stuart died on April 9.

"He was well respected by friends and family," said one surfer who did not wish to be identified.

Friends at the paddle out–a memorial service to honor and remember a fallen surfer–referring to him as "Jeb," described him as a local fisherman, surfer and captain of many vessels. Surfers reminisce about Stuart's days in Montauk in the 1970s on the midnight bluefish run.

Surfers gathered at the beach off Atlantic Terrace for the memorial around 3 p.m. on Sunday, at one point gathering in a circle off shore. Another surfer at the paddle out who did not wish to be identified said Stuart's ashes were spread out on the ocean.

"He was a very, very special special person," he said.