HRFA member, Pete Barrett Award Winner, Fishing contest Director, Director

Danny Bontemps  

January 20, 1929  -   July 15, 2005

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Danny Bontemps, a Hudson River Original

July 19, 2005 

On Saturday, July 16^th, 2005 Warren (Danny) Bontemps, one of the original club members, passed away.  While this may not be a familiar name to many, those that knew him well, also know what he did for the H.R.F.A.-N.J. Chapter.   You may have heard me talk about a group of people that helped to get the club back on its feet in the mid-late 80’s.    Danny Bontemps was one of those guys! 

It was Danny who kept club patches from being discarded at a time when the club was close to disbanding.  Those patches provide a revenue source to keep us on our feet.  In addition to the club patches, Danny insured that key club literature was not lost.   Danny arranged for the club to use the Bergenfield Recreation Center when we needed a place to meet.    When we first attempted “Hooked on the Hudson”, Danny volunteered to solicit prizes from area tackle shops and sporting goods stores.  He called it the begging detail, but he loved every minute of it and volunteered many consecutive years.    When we had the ambitious idea to haul river water up to the Fort Lee Historic Center for a live Hudson River Striper display…. Danny was there to help.   Danny Bontemps also ran the fishing contest for more than a few years.  But most importantly, Danny was always there to provide moral support, a few words of encouragement be it in his own unique style.       These are some of the reasons for which Danny received the Pete Barrett Award.    Danny helped make the H.R.F.A.-N.J. Chapter what it is today.

Let’s not forget Danny the fisherman.   Not too long ago, stripers were few and far between, they almost made the endangered species list.   During those years, Danny taught me the secrets of the river and we had no trouble catching and tagging (and yes eating some) bass.   Weakfishing, however, was Danny’s weakness.   If I were to tell you that it was not uncommon to throw back weakfish under 6 lbs as 12-14 lbs fish were the norm... Would you believe me?  Well you should, it was true in the late 80’s.   From flounder to tuna, Danny did it all.  As you might guess there are more fish tales than we have room for, so let me just give Danny Bontemps his due… Danny was one heck of a great fisherman!

It was my good fortune to have known him and be able to call him “friend”.    I will miss Danny.   Please join me in a moment of silence, with the hope that he is on a calm sea, that he has wind and tide in his favor and is busy catching 17 lb weakfish.

Sincerely,

Sergio Radossi

Past President and Corresponding Sec.

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HRFA Member George Graf

HRFA NJ President

1999 through 2001 

Former Director, Trustee

Sergio Radossi

Jim Campbell

Gil Hawkins

To George Graf   ....  A note of Thanks

Shortly after I received the sad news of George Graf’s passing on 10/26/04,  Jim Campbell called to ask if I would share some memories with fellow club members. 

I met George Graf in the early 80’s at my first meeting HRFA-NJ Chapter meeting.    George welcomed me and introduced me to members like Arnie Ulrich, Danny Bontemps and others who took that extra effort to make feel welcome.     So welcomed that in good part thanks to George I found myself attending the club’s E-Broad meeting being held at the Outdoorsman’s Tackle Shop, which George had recently purchased. (now owned and operated by Dan Riemann)    Next thing I knew, I was the HRFA-NJ Chapter’s newest President......hummm(?)

During my term and beyond, George provided the E-Board members and me with “real” help in our efforts to help the club to grow.   We continued to use the Outdoorsman for the E-Broad meetings.    The meetings were always “lively”, there were always “one or two opinions” on the subject at hand, but most importantly we were a team working together.  While he may have not always agreed, George always put the club’s best interests first in the end.   As I think back, George was a very important part of that mix.

Some of the things that George helped us to accomplish during that time are:

ü       Updating and publishing the Club’s Charter and by-laws

ü       Re-establishing contacts with HRFA – NY

ü       Having speakers at each meeting (one of George’s pet projects)

ü       Club fishing trips

ü       Getting the clubs activities written up by the area outdoors writers (all George)

ü       Hooked on the Hudson (starting from a seminar growing to a three day event)

ü       Starting the Club Environmental Fund

ü       Having an annual dinner

ü       Reorganizing the club’s treasury

ü       The Pete Barrett Annual Award (again, all George)

ü       Growing the club membership past the 100-member mark (followed by 150, 200, etc)

George continued to help the club over the years, preferring work in the background.  He was presented the Pete Barrett award and finally relented to accept the position of club president.

In between volunteering his time to the club, his day job as season ticket manager for the NY Knicks and Rangers and working in the tackle shop, George managed to catch a few fish.   I have yet to meet anyone who could out fish George on Blackfish. One of my best days blackfishing was with George in LI Sound, we worked two rods each for the best part of a tide with fish 3-4 lbs. and above.   Yea, yea.... I know, but its true!  Those who remember our nights tagging stripers in the East River will also remember being out fished by George most of the time.    I could easily take up the whole newsletter talking about the good times fishing with George and adventures with the HRFA-NJ Chapter.   I will miss George.   I am better for having known him.

Sergio Radossi

Past President, Newsletter Editor, Corresponding/Recording Secretary and friend of George Graf

From Jim Campbell

October 26, 2004 was a very sad day for the Hudson River Fishermen's Association.  We lost one of our earliest and most dedicated members.  George Graf had been a member of the Hudson River Fishermen's Association since the early 1970's.  George passed away of a heart attack on Tuesday, October 26, 2004.  George Graf was President of the HRFA during a tumultuous time.  The HRFA was growing rapidly and evolving into a major organization dedicated to protecting not only our fisheries, but also our environment. Growth, change, and mission re-direction does not come without its problems.

The HRFA is not only growing larger; it is also growing older.  We have lost too many good anglers and too many serious environmentalists over the last few years.  Although the HRFA may gain two new members for everyone lost that only speaks to the quantitative side.  On the quality side of the ledger, we always need new, energized and dedicated staff.  If any member, new or old, thinks they have very big feet and can fill George’s shoes, please step up and present yourself to me or any officer of the club. 

Overall the HRFA has prospered because of the dedicated leadership of its officers and particularly its presidents.  Each new president was able to stand on the shoulders of the preceding presidents.  Therefore, George was not 5’ 9”, he was over a

hundred foot tall.  George Graf’s accomplishments over the years were also the foundation of my term as president. 

Past President George Graf will be sorely missed, but his contributions to the HRFA will long be honored and remembered.

Jim Campbell, HRFA President

From Gil Hawkins

George, the club has lost a dedicated President. You always supported
environmental issues. I especially remember your face broadening to a proud smile
when blackfish were mentioned. You had the look of an expert, an ace, and
listening to your stories, I knew you had blackfishing down to a science. Your
dedication to the youth program brought the same smile. Thanks for all you have done
for the club. There will always be a prime place along the rail for you. Fish
in peace. Gil Hawkins

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Rudy Padro,

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Ray Marione