Skip to main content

Nick Vernon Crumm

Wed, 06/19/2024 - 18:16

Aug. 14, 1951 - June 12, 2024

Nick Vernon Crumm of Montauk, a lifelong surfer who also enjoyed skiing, ice hockey, and pickleball, died of Alzheimer’s disease on June 12. He was 72.

In his early and late 20s, Mr. Crumm was a professional ballet dancer, performing with the Colorado Ballet, the Kansas City Ballet, and the Chicago Ballet.

“He was a very passionate person, he did lots of things, and he did them all really well, especially if something was physical,” said his wife of 34 years, the former Janelle Williams.

After retiring from the ballet, Mr. Crumm earned a bachelor’s degree from New York University. He worked as a general contractor, mainly in New York City, and began coming to Montauk some 30 years ago.

“He loved the Montauk surf community,” his wife said. “That was a big part of his life. He rushed out here every weekend.” He passed his love of surfing on to his son and daughter.

The Crumms bought a house in Montauk in 2001, splitting their time between Montauk and Westchester County. They moved to Montauk full time about four years ago, after Mr. Crumm became ill.

Born in Fairfield, Conn., on Aug. 14, 1951, to Charles Crumm and the former Anne Temple, he grew up in Connecticut and on Martha’s Vineyard.

He and his wife were married on May 12, 1990.

He is additionally survived by his children, Sam Crumm of Montauk and Olivia Crumm of New Haven, Conn., and by a grandson, Charlie Crumm.

“We were a tight-knit crew,” his wife said, referring to “his fierce love for his family.”

He leaves two brothers, Chad Crumm of New Orleans and Peter Crumm of Boston, and a sister, Nina Davis of Brisbane, Australia.

A paddle-out for Mr. Crumm is planned for Friday evening at 6 at Ditch Plain Beach.

His family has suggested donations to the Alzheimer’s Association, online at act.alz.org

Villages

Volunteers Take Up Invasives War at Morton

Most people go to the Elizabeth Morton Wildlife Refuge in Noyac, part of the National Wildlife Refuge system, to feed the friendly birds. On Saturday, however, 15 people showed up instead to rip invasive plants out of the ground.

Apr 24, 2025

Item of the Week: Wild Times at Jungle Pete’s

A highlight among Springs landmarks, here is a storied eatery and watering hole that served countless of the hamlet’s residents, including the Abstract Expressionist painter Jackson Pollock.

Apr 24, 2025

The Sweet Smell of Nostalgia at Sagaponack General

Stepping into the new Sagaponack General Store, which reopened yesterday after being closed since 2020, is a sweet experience, and not just because there’s a soft-serve ice cream station on the left and what promises to be the biggest penny candy selection on the South Fork on your right, but because it’s like seeing an old friend who, after some struggle, made it big. Really, really big.

Apr 17, 2025

 

Your support for The East Hampton Star helps us deliver the news, arts, and community information you need. Whether you are an online subscriber, get the paper in the mail, delivered to your door in Manhattan, or are just passing through, every reader counts. We value you for being part of The Star family.

Your subscription to The Star does more than get you great arts, news, sports, and outdoors stories. It makes everything we do possible.