More than 320 people entered the sixth annual Fluke for Luke fundraiser, reeling in over 142 fish over the two-day fishing tournament. The fundraiser is held in memory of Island fisherman Luke Gurney who died seven years ago in a boating accident.
On Sunday, everyone gathered at the Portuguese American Club in Oak Bluffs for the final weigh-in and cookout. Fishermen, family and friends enjoyed hot dogs and hamburgers and a raw bar, while an Amazon parrot named Jerry laughed from his perch on attendees’ shoulders.
Jerry is Mr. Gurney’s childhood pet, a 56-year-old parrot who makes the trip to the Island each year with Mr. Gurney’s mother, Linda L. Gurney.
“Luke would love this,” Linda Gurney said. “I taught him to always do things for the right reasons, and it never really hit me until he died, but Luke always followed his heart. He always did exactly the right thing because of it.”
Mr. Gurney’s boat was named No Regrets, a mantra that now decorates fundraiser T-shirts.
“It’s my favorite, and many people’s favorite, day of the year,” said an event organizer who, rather than being named, asked to be referred to as a friend of Luke’s. “It’s something to do about something we can’t do very much about. We get to celebrate an amazing life.”
The two-day tournament began on Saturday, with a weigh-in each day. Jim Cornwell won the adult fluke division with an 11.17-pound fluke — the second largest in the tournament’s six-year history. Julian Pepper took second place with a 7.17 pound fluke, and Adam Wansiewicz placed third with a 6.2-pound fluke.
Team Payback swept the team division with 27.06 pounds of fluke and a 3.2 pound sea bass. Three Buoys & A Gull followed closely behind with 26.96 pounds of fish, and Fishsticks with Charter Sauce brought home third place with a cumulative 17.69 pounds.
The junior fluke division first prize went to Hudson Smith, with 3.29-pound fluke. Second place went Christian Fisher with a 3.05-pound fluke. Christian also took home first prize in the junior sea bass competition with a 3.26-pound catch. Third place went to eight-year-old Ethan Rivers, whose fluke weighed 2.12 pounds.
Ethan explained that he caught dozens of fish, presenting only his most impressive three to the judges.
Entry money and proceeds from the silent auction, among other donations, contribute to a college fund for Mr. Gurney’s two sons, Jacob and Sam.
Jacob Gurney is a rising junior at the University of Rhode Island, and Sam will begin at the University of Tennessee in the fall.
“They’re growing into the most incredible adults,” said Luke’s father, John Gurney. “Their father would be so proud.”
The silent auction included more than $23,000 in donated items from local businesses and friends of the family, including artwork, power tools, fishing equipment and gift certificates.
“They’re all things that followed Luke’s life,” said an event organizer and friend of Luke’s.
Brian Athearn, president of the Martha’s Vineyard Agricultural Society, said over 700 hotdogs and hamburgers were grilled, and Josh Flanders and friends shucked over 1,200 oysters and clams.
More than a competition, Fluke for Luke brings together the ever-expanding community Mr. Gurney created over his lifetime.
“He was so loved,” said Emma Aloliveira, Luke’s goddaughter. “If you had the chance to know Luke, you’re probably a pretty good person. He just filled everyone around him with his infectious goodness.”
Childhood friends Angelo Nicolosi and Matt Andrade said they played hockey with Mr. Gurney while growing up in New Bedford. As adults, the three friends continued to fish and hunt together. Both men return to the Island each year from Dartmouth for the fundraiser. The two shared stories about their time with Mr. Gurney, fishing in white-out fog conditions and skating on the pond near Mr. Gurney’s childhood home.
“I never met anyone who didn’t like him,” said Mr. Andrade, who wore his hat from the inaugural fundraiser in 2017. “He was a brother, even if he wasn’t.”
And for those whom Mr. Gurney really was a brother, he was a good one.
“Luke would love to be here,” said Luke’s brother, Josh Gurney. “It’s unbelievable to see the huge network of support and friends he developed out here. He was an amazing fisherman, an amazing brother and the best mentor in the world.”
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