Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
©
VIRGINIA BEACH
Jefferson Sykes and Allen Fuller were fishing buddies who had been on the water together many times.
That's why their loved ones are surprised that they died Friday on the Chesapeake Bay.
When Fuller and his wife moved to Hampton Roads more than six years ago, it was " primarily because he wanted to be by the water and go fishing whenever he pleased," said his son, Jeff Fuller.
"We're all very shocked, and it's hard to believe this has happened. It's hard to look down at the dock and see that the boat's not there."
Sykes, 83, of Chesapeake and Fuller, 75, of Portsmouth, were found dead in the water just north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel shortly after 1 p.m. Hours later, the Virginia Beach Police Department's Marine Patrol Unit found Fuller's 28-foot Boston Whaler near the bridge-tunnel, said Sgt. Brian Ricardo, a police spokesman. They turned the boat over to the Virginia Marine Resources Commission.
The cause of the accident won't be determined for days, said John Bull, a spokesman for the commission.
"The boat has revealed no mechanical or structural problems, just some scraping on the hull," he said.
A Virginia Beach-based rescue crew responded to a report of a body in the water about two miles north of the bridge. The Coast Guard found the second man floating in the vicinity.
Relatives told investigators that Sykes and Fuller set out for a day trip about 8 a.m. The fishermen were not wearing life vests, and a seat cushion was found floating nearby, an official said.
Sykes was a retired teacher and administrator who was the principal of Emily Spong, Robert E. Lee and Hodges Manor elementary schools in Portsmouth, according to an obituary in today's Virginian-Pilot. He was active in Green Acres Presbyterian Church.
He retired in 1988 as director of elementary education for Portsmouth schools.
Fuller worked for General Electric for 25 years, leaving as a manager, then worked for Life Fitness in Illinois, from which he retired more than six years ago as vice president of manufacturing and engineering.
He was involved in Habitat for Humanity and his church, Monumental United Methodist in Portsmouth.
He had a number of fishing friends, but Sykes was among his favorites, said Fuller's wife, Frances Fuller. Fuller docked his boat at his house off the Elizabeth River Western Branch.
Jeff Fuller said his father "was very, very careful about not going out when the wind and the waves were too high, and by all accounts (Friday) was a pretty good day, so it's a mystery to us."
"We're all interested in getting some answers, if we can."
Pilot writer Corinne Reilly contributed to this report.
Patrick Wilson, (757) 446-2957, patrick.wilson@pilotonline.com
Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com
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THANKYOU
I would like to personally Thank Hampton roads and pilot online for the time they have spent on Allens life and passing.The finding is in and I am glad it makes sinse.Again thank all of you for your personal comments and nice gestures.This is only from me but I think Francis,Jeff,and Susan would probably agree.Brother-in Law
Things do happen...
For every tragic event there is a chain of events that if one element of those events would have been changed, the results would have been different. The gentlemen made a choice to go out in the area they did. Maybe another location would have been better. They should have worn flotation devices, one may not have, thus putting the other in peril. We will ever know the full extent of the circumstances, but many can learn from what the results were.
Sadness has enveloped the families and we pray for them and their loss. Take what we know and try to benefit from it.
May the two gents rest in peace.
Mr. Sykes Legacy
Mr. Sykes time on earth was well spent molding and shaping the most fragile of minds-the elementary student.During my years at Hodges Manor elementary school I had the blessing of being taught by the most caring and knowledgeable teachers I have ever experienced.Mr,Sykes was an excellent leader who showed me much compassion upon my numerous visits to his office as principle and I think Hodges Manor should be renamed Sykes Elementary!
For the Family
Traveling to the High Rise Friday we came across a man with a life jacket on in the water. I called the coast guard and reported the situation and then my friend and I checked for a pulse. We found no pulse and were confident that there was nothing we could do but wait for help. The gentleman's life jacket was securely fastened. Floating 50 to 100 yards was his friend, but we thought it was some debris in the water possibly from a boat that capsized. When the marine police arrived they told us that it was a 2nd person. Floating not far from the 2nd person was a thrown floatation device.
Waves were only about 2 feet but the current was very strong.
To the families, I am truly sorry for your loss.
Thoughts and prayer to the
Thoughts and prayer to the families and friends left behind. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
I don't get it
there's many times I've wondered why comments weren't taken on certain stories. In this case I wonder why they were. We'll probably never know the real answer or come to understand this was just a very tragic accident. Why give the real idiots a chance to abuse grieving loved ones with utterly stupid comments?
The Elderly and Fishing
The issue isn't the elderly shouldn't be fishing, it is they should have been wearing life jackets. Although hypothermia is more of an issue with the elderly. Bottomline, the seas were not as calm as Diver Virginia reported. I was heading out of Little Creek Amphib base yesterday at noon and turned around and went back in because of the rough seas. The tide was outgoing and they were in a area that with the current and outgoing tide it can be very dangerous on a calm day. Those two individuals made a poor decision and took a heck of a chance. I feel for their families and may they both rest in peace.
Just an Opinion
Marks wrote: They should never have been out there in the first place at their age.
I don't understand why people think older people cannot do many of the things they have done all their lives. A myth and sterotype!
I would rather die on the water than waste away doing nothing. I respect these two guys - my condolescences to their families. May they rest and fish in peace.
comments made
I would like to thank most of your commentors on their nice way of thinking.It has been a very trying time for all the families.Allen was
doing what he liked best,fishing with one of his friends.He looked and felt younger than I.We personnaly thank all for Kindness.BROTHER-IN-LAW
of one of the great and true men of today.Allen J.Fuller
Their families had a
Their families had a responsibility for their welfare...to talk some sense into them, or a least a younger member of the family should have been with them. It's just like the elderly driving and causing accidents. Their children need to know when it's time to pull their licenses. Wake up!