Memorial Service Being Planned for Plane Crash Victims

Ben and Bonnie Krupinski, whom the East Hampton Lions Club named citizens of the year in 2017, were well-known supporters of the greater East Hampton community.

Durell Godfrey

Jun. 3, 2018

Taylor K. Vecsey

While investigators still look for two missing people from a plane that crashed off the Amagansett shoreline Saturday, the victims' families are planning a memorial service.

"We are heartbroken to announce the tragic loss of Ben and Bonnie, their grandson Will, and our colleague Jon, on June 2, 2018," said an announcement posted on the social media accounts belonging to Ben Krupinski's restaurants and construction company. "The Krupinski, Bistrian, Maerov, and Dollard families are grateful for the sincere outpouring of support from so many who knew and loved them."

Mr. Krupinski, his wife, Bonnie Bistrian Krupinski, their 22-year-old grandson, William Maerov, and their pilot, Jon Dollard, were aboard a twin-engine Piper PA-31 Navajo headed for East Hampton Airport when it plummeted into the Atlantic Ocean. Rescuers soon found debris about a mile and a half from Indian Wells Beach in Amagansett.

Two bodies were later recovered, while two are still missing. Police would not identify who was found and who was still missing. A search of the water was temporarily suspended because of sea conditions Sunday afternoon.

"We extend our deep appreciation to the U.S. Coast Guard and other emergency responders on land, sea, and air, including the East Hampton Town Police Department and scores of others," according to the statement posted on the social media pages of the 1770 House and Ben Krupinski Builder. The couple also owned Cittanuova and East Hampton Point and were part owners of the East Hampton Golf Club.

The couple gave to many local charities, from the East Hampton Library to the East Hampton Ladies Village Improvement Society, from the Amagansett Life-Saving and Coast Guard Station to Guild Hall, and Mr. Krupinski often donated his construction company’s time for some of those organizations’ construction and restoration efforts.

"In honor of Ben and Bonnie, with whom we have been fortunate to work as members of their extended family, we continue their commitment to delivering excellence in service to all of you in the community," the statement said.

A memorial service will be announced in the coming weeks.