Clark Randolph Bellows III Of Hampton Bays Dies November 4

Clark Randolph Bellows III of Hampton Bays died on November 4 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 67.

The local bayman and builder made his name as “Captain Clark.”

A long time party boat/charter captain relocated from Freeport to Hampton Bays as a child with his older sister Linda Garstang, mother Ann Bellows, and father Captain Clark Bellows II, to run what would become a small fleet of fishing boats throughout Peconic Bay, Shinnecock Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Captain Clark grew up in the foot steps of his father, working the docks, providing bait and ice at an early age, then mating for his father and finally running his own 65-foot vessel. As time progressed, Captain Clark began to know where the fish would be on any given day and land his boat over hundreds of fish so his anglers would have a day to remember, his family recalled.

The local joke among loyal Captain Clark anglers, according to his family, was, “If you want to catch fish, go with junior … if you are just out to have a good time and hear some jokes, then go with senior.”

As time passed, and his experience grew, Captain Clark had his own bag of jokes and fishing stories that he loved to reminisce about and share with anyone interested, his family said, adding that his dedication, attention to detail, and craftsmanship was apparent in every construction project he approached, and he was a “true professional.”

His light heart and desire to make others happy was evident anytime he was on the water, they said. The work he would put in to be a part of someone catching their first fish, or record breaking Calcutta fish, was with the same approach. Once he was out on the water, it was tough to get him back to shore, inclement weather, darkness lingering, bait dwindling, he was famous for “one last drift.”

“We will hold you forever in our hearts, continuing to share your passion for nature and the outdoors,” his family said.

He is survived by his wife Leslie Bellows; his daughters Jessica Reyer and Jillian Bellows; his grandchildren Ella Bellows, Robbie and Rylie Reyer; and his mother Ann Bellows.

In lieu of flowers, donations to East End Hospice, PO Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978 in his name would be appreciated by the family.