Drowned Fisherman's Mom: 'I Want To Know What Happened To My Son'

MONTAUK, NY — Services have been set for the young commercial fisherman who died Monday off the coast of Montauk. Justin Charles Zinno, 26, of Narragansett, Rhode Island, passed away unexpectedly Oct. 14, his obituary said. Born in South Kingstown, he was the loving son of Karen Darke and Charles Zinno and his wife Emmeline (Westcott) Zinno.

Justin was a hardworking commercial fisherman working beside his father and brother his whole life, his family said.

"He was very intelligent and was always eager to learn and grow. He had a love of sports, and enjoyed playing basketball, as well as listening to music," his obituary reads. "Above all else he was known for being a caring person with a heart of gold and loved to spend time with his family and friends."

Besides his mother, father and stepmother, he is survived by his brother Andrew Arnett; grandmother Diane Kennedy; aunts Lisa Zinno-Golding and Kathy Justinger; uncles Richard Darke and Joseph Justinger; cousin Nicholle Golding; and niece and nephew, Caterina and Andrew Arnett, Jr.

A funeral service will be held on Mon., Oct. 21, at 10 a.m. in Avery-Storti Funeral Home, located at 88 Columbia St. in Wakefield. Burial will follow in New Fernwood Cemetery, Kingston.

Visiting hours will be held on Sun., Oct. 20, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Avery-Storti Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Justin's name may be made to the Pt. Judith Fisherman’s Scholarship Fund, PO Box 386, Narragansett, R.I., 02882.

Zinno's mother Karen Darke was left rocked by his loss.

"I want to know what happened to my son off the coast of Montauk," she said. "He was a great son and loved by the local fishing community."

The loss, she said, is unimaginable.

"There is a commercial that's out there," she said. "Basically, it's a woman who has to visit her son at the cemetery . . .Well, that's me now."

Tiverton Police Lt. Daniel Raymond said the Coast Guard reported Zinno fell overboard and died 75 nautical miles southeast of Montauk. According to a wpri.com post, Tiverton police said Zinno left the port on Main Street aboard the Sakonnet Lobster II.

The incident took place at 4:45 a.m. Monday and his body was recovered at 6 a.m. The details of how Zinno went overboard are unclear and an investigation is underway, the post said.

Hearts were broken at the loss of a well-loved, caring young man.

In an interview with Patch, Lisa Zinno Golding cried as she remembered her nephew.

"I am still in shock," she said. "He was just the kindest soul. I can't imagine this happening to him. Something tragic happened out there. Something went horribly wrong."

Zinno's father is devastated, as is his entire family, she said — and those who loved him are left searching for answers about what happened in the dark of night out on the water. Golding said questions, including if he was alone on deck or if he somehow got tangled in the ropes while hauling in the lobster traps, run through her mind.

"He was a beautiful person," she said. "He was the hardest worker ... Just 26 years old. I can't imagine something like this happening. It's just horrible."

Zinno lived with his mother, she said.

Loved ones remembered Zinno on Facebook.

"We were co-workers years ago; he recently stopped by out the blue to say hello and visit," a friend said. "He actually brought me four lobsters, visited, and gave me encouraging words about my illness. At the time I was touched by the kindness of it. He was simply a good kindhearted, hardworking man. He should be here and I'm devastated he isn't."

Zinno's devastated mother wrote, "I'm going to miss my boy forever. I'm so devastated. Why my boy?"

Zinno was remembered by one friend as an "easygoing, warmhearted and respectful person."

His grandmother Diane Kennedy said, "Going to miss you so much Justin. A wonderful grandson. So young to be gone so soon. I love you."

The Coast Guard was unable to immediately provide any further details. The Riverton Police Department was on the scene to assist the Coast Guard investigator, police said.