Wayne Westerlind

WESTERLIND - Wayne "Capt. Wayne," of West Islip, NY and Jensen Beach, FL, crossed the bar on April 6, 2021. Wayne leaves behind his wife of 61 years, Isabel "Betty," his sons Wayne, Glenn and Lee-Annemarie, grandchildren Wayne-Emily, Baron, Madison and Nina, and great- grandson Lucas. Beloved son of Eric and Mabel Westerlind, Wayne was born and raised on Sequams Lane in West Islip, NY. He spent his entire life on the water. After serving in the Navy on the USS Coral Sea, Wayne followed in his father's footsteps by purchasing his first party fishing boat in 1959. He owned three boats over three decades as a Captree party boat captain, creating priceless memories for thousands of New Yorkers he took fishing. After retiring from the party boat business for nearly four decades, he captained numerous boats up and down the coast. His final run, which lasted for 25 years, was as a private Captain for Bill Kelly on his 46 foot Sea Ray, S.A.I., which created an incredible bond and friendship, a job he loved and enjoyed and all the people he met along the way sailing to different ports. From all walks of life, he was an especially skilled boatman and mariner. He was well known throughout the maritime community for his skill as a captain, making lifelong friends along the way. He was loved, respected and cherished by all who knew him, and he will be missed dearly, but remembered always. A memorial will be held in New York in the coming months.