| Issue #1 - March 30, 2007 |
GARY VENTURA, 52
By Janine Cheviot
Gary Ventura, a passionate surfer and beach activist, passed away on March 25 from pancreatic cancer. He was 52 years old.
Gary, also known as “GV,” moved to Hampton Bays in the early 1970s with his wife, Alison. He started his own business there, Oceanside Painting, and spent many winters traveling to Tortola, Mexico, Puerto Rico and other tropical destinations. Gary was very well respected in the surfing community. He earned the nickname “The Mayor” because of his passion for preserving the waves and beaches on the East End of Long Island.
In 1980, Gary was featured in Surfer Magazine and in 2004, Hampton Style magazine listed him as one of the top surfers in the Hamptons. He gave surfing lessons at Town of Southampton camps and was an active member of the Surfrider Foundation’s Eastern Long Island Chapter. In 2001, Gary spearheaded a successful campaign to protect the local surf spot known as Three’s.
Gary was admired by many, and will be missed dearly by his friends, family and the surfing community.
For More informantion visit: www.surfer-gv.com
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