Barry Kohlus, a Montauk fisherman whose career on the water spanned 68 years, died at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital on Aug. 25. The cause was cancer; he was 82.
The family had lived in Montauk since 1955, when his father, Norman (Boots) Kohlus, began a full-time fishing career aboard the Venture and, later, the Venture II. The younger Mr. Kohlus worked as mate until he was ready to take over as captain upon his father’s retirement.
This period cemented his love of fishing, and in the spring of 1984 Barry Kohlus bought a 41-foot Hatteras originally called the Gray Viking, which he renamed the Venture. It was the boat he captained all the way through the 2023 fishing season. He enjoyed sharing his love of fishing with families, particularly the children.
“Barry was well respected and beloved in the fishing community,” his family wrote. He “often said he never really went to work, because he got to do what he loved. Anybody who ever fished aboard the Venture II or the Venture knew that as well.”
Norman Barry Kohlus was born in Valley Stream on June 1, 1942, to Boots Kohlus and the former Elisabeth Schwemmer. He grew up there and in Greenport. After high school, he enlisted in the Army Reserves, serving from 1961 to 1965.
His wife, Janet Kohlus, whom he married in October 2002, survives and continues to live in Montauk.
Mr. Kohlus is also survived by a son, Barry M. Kohlus, and his wife, Mekidalawit Kohlus, of Richmond, Tex., and by two stepsons, Brennan Stein and Luke Stein and his wife, Penny Stein, all of Montauk. A daughter, Wendy Flanagan, died before him; his son-in-law, Jay Flanagan of Noyac, survives him.
Mr. Kohlus also leaves three sisters, Sandra Faul of Burlington, Vt., Susan Kah of Hollywood, Fla., and Betsey Kohlus of West Palm Beach, Fla., a brother, David Kohlus of Montauk, and nine grandchildren: Liam, Elroi, Gage, Spencer, Evan, Grace, Conor, Sean, and Jack.
He was buried last Thursday at Fort Hill Cemetery in Montauk. His family has suggested memorial donations to the Kiwanis Club of East Hampton, P.O. Box 1902, East Hampton 11937, in support of its youth fishing program in Montauk.
