Terrance Remkus
In addition to his construction and painting business, Terrance Remkus was a bartender for many years at Sag Harbor watering holes such as the Corner Bar and the Black Buoy, to which his quick sense of humor was said to be perfectly suited. He died of pancreatic cancer at home on North Haven on March 7 after an eight-week illness. He was 69.
Mr. Remkus was known for telling stories that would leave his customers and friends, including those in the Sag Harbor Fire Department, where he was a longtime member, laughing out loud.
One of Mr. Remkus’s best known stories was about an escaped dog that came into his backyard and left a memento. The dog’s owner was the singer Jimmy Buffett, a neighbor, who asked Mr. Remkus if he had seen the dog. When Mr. Remkus said yes, Mr. Buffett left, but not before Mr. Remkus suggested the singer pick up after the dog. The story went that Mr. Buffett balked and asked Mr. Remkus if he didn’t recognize him. Mr. Remkus is said to have shot back, saying, “I don’t care if you’re Jerry Garcia.”
“That was Terry,” Denis Corridan, a friend said. “To say he was fun was putting it mildly.”
A lifelong resident of the Sag Harbor area, he was born on Aug. 26, 1949, to Louis Remkus and the former Margaret Trimpin. He graduated from Pierson High School.
Mr. Remkus loved sailing on the East End’s bays, playing softball, and rooting for the Yankees and Jets, as well as his favorite team, Pino’s, of Sag Harbor, his family said.
He was buried on March 11 at St. Andrew’s Cemetery in Sag Harbor after a Mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church and a service honoring his 28 years with the Sag Harbor Fire Department.
Mr. Remkus is survived by his partner, Teddi Zaluski, two daughters, Amy Remkus of Sag Harbor and Kelly Remkus of Riverhead, and a grandson.
Memorial contributions were suggested to the Sag Harbor Fire Department, 1357 Brick Kiln Road, Sag Harbor 11963.
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Correction: An earlier form of this obituary listed the wrong date of birth for Mr. Remkus. He was born on Aug. 26, 1949.