About ten years ago, we were putting together a book proposal about famous and not-so-famous people’s love for Montauk. We wrote to Bernard Madoff in prison, and he wrote back. He was a swindler and a scoundrel, but he did love Montauk, as you will see.
Dear Laura,
My most special memories are of my years in Montauk with my family.
It started in 1960 when my wife and I brought our 26 foot Trojan to the Deep Sea Club for a weekend of fishing. We were quite intimidated by the large sport fishing boats with their professional crews. It was not long before we realized that the club was a very friendly and family oriented place, in spite of its storied history. We proceeded to spend every summer in Montauk, bring our 36 foot Egg Harbor and then 56 foot Ryborich sport fisherman to the club. Our experienced while living on our boats at the club were fantastic. Our children spent their time fishing off the dock with the other members boys and girls from the age of 4 years until they were old enough to work as dock boys at the club. They had side jobs digging for clams and washing boats.
The club’s dockmaster, Bob Darenberg, saw to it that they learned everything necessary in order to service the marina and as a strict but loving father figure all the boys developed into hard-working young men.
As time went on I built a beach house off of Old Montauk Highway and moved our family with our grandchildren there for the summers. Our clambakes and lobster cookouts and days of surf fishing from our beach were glorious. My sons remained close ties with Montauk along with their own families and the local friends they met over the years.
In conclusion I can say that of all the travels I have enjoyed worldwide nothing as come close to my love for Montauk.
Bernie Madoff
