SOUTHAMPTON, N.Y. — Friends are mourning a man who was struck and killed by a Long Island Rail Road train in Southampton Monday night.
The man who died was later identified as Rafal Stoklosa, 45, of Southampton, police said.
And now, Andrew Laurice has written an obituary for the man he said was his best friend, words full of love and respect for a life lived with kindness.
“Ruff was a staple on the Shinnecock Canal,” he said. “I share food, drink, bait and fishing tips with anyone who asks. He had a heart of gold. Raph had an undying love for nature, the ocean and all the natural beauty this earth has to offer. When he wasn't” To fish, he spent most of his remaining free time clearing local fishing spots, patches of public forest land, and foraging for edibles in the wild.”
Also, Laurice said, Stoklosa loved the sun and always had a dark tan.
“He found his peace in nature. Raf was known for his love of all nature, especially the seagulls and deer he cared for on a daily basis. No one on this earth had a kinder soul than Raf,” he said. . “Unfortunately, Raph's demons caught up to him as they became too much for him… With a heart full of gold, Raph also carried a mind full of trauma that he could never find peace with.”
Remembering his friend, Laurice said: “Rafal was known throughout the Hampton Bay area as 'The Fluke King' as he would not only catch the highest quality fluke, but he would do so using tackle that he found the people were forgotten and left on the ground. He liked to show a new angler some tricks and have them catch them from his box. He loved helping people.”
Although his friend never had much money, he had other gifts to share, Laurice said.
“He had so much to offer with his love and kindness to everyone he met. Raph had the least — but always offered the most. He had a special love in his heart for all birds, from seagulls to bald eagles. The pain is gone and he is at peace and happy for once in his long life. Raph was a saint. A true saint. So in the name of Rafal Stoklosa, the kindest, sweetest, most loving soul who ever lived, let's make this world a more loving and sustainable place for all people and animals,” he said.
According to the MTA, the incident occurred at 7pm on Monday when an eastbound train struck Stoklosa at a location west of the Hills Station Road bridge in Southampton. the bridge brings the Montauk Branch over Hills Station Road.
According to information, the incident was not criminal. The investigation is ongoing.
The train involved was the 4:30 p.m. departure. from Hunterspoint Avenue, bound for Montauk at 7:44 p.m., officials said. As a result, the train was terminated at Hampton Bays and the LIRR arranged for buses to meet the train to allow customers to continue their journeys. Service on the Montauk Branch was officially suspended east of Speonk until 10:39 p.m., resulting in two additional trains being affected, the MTA said.
