FL Unidentified male, found in water near lighthouse, Sanibel Island 1961

[MagicCityMan]

This is a grave that I have visited every year for the last 20 or so years when on my yearly vacation on Sanibel Island. I always put a shell on his grave as is customary in the unique Sanibel Island cemetery. Unbelievably, it never dawned on me to start a thread here for him, so here it is. I do not know any of the circumstances other than he was found floating in the waters near the lighthouse back in 1961. The lighthouse is a historical landmark on the point of the island. The waters are a bay between the island and Ft. Myers which is on the mainland. In 1961 there was no causeway (built in 1963) so the only way on to Sanibel Island was via ferry. It would be interesting to find any news articles about the recovery of the body to learn if he was recognizable, what type (if any) clothing he was wearing or any other key information.

 

[MagicCityMan]

Found in water is apparently just an assumption on my part...his marker only states "found near lighthouse" which I suppose could mean he was found on land. It seems unlikely however because as I stated in the previous post, the lighthouse is on the point of the island right by the water.

 

[PatLaurel]

Found in water is apparently just an assumption on my part...his marker only states "found near lighthouse" which I suppose could mean he was found on land. It seems unlikely however because as I stated in the previous post, the lighthouse is on the point of the island right by the water.

BBM

I couldn't find any news articles. Tried all possible search terms, circumstances, etc.
Maybe you could contact Lee County ME and ask if they have any info on this John Doe?

MOO JMO

 

[Caring1]

There was a shrimp fisherman that was lost overboard from a bait boat 3 miles from the Sanibel Lighthouse in April 1961 but since there were several intense searches for him I would expect for them to know whether the man found was him. Interesting timing though.

His name was John Pterudis from Ft. Myers.

Apr 12, 1961, page 63 - The Miami Herald at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from The Miami Herald dated Apr 12, 1961, page 63.

www.newspapers.com

 

[MagicCityMan]

There was a shrimp fisherman that was lost overboard from a bait boat 3 miles from the Sanibel Lighthouse in April 1961 but since there were several intense searches for him I would expect for them to know whether the man found was him. Interesting timing though.

His name was John Pterudis from Ft. Myers.

Apr 12, 1961, page 63 - The Miami Herald at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from The Miami Herald dated Apr 12, 1961, page 63.

www.newspapers.com

Unfortunately, I couldn't see the article but that is pretty interesting! The information on Lighthouse Doe is so vague....we have only a year and that he was found "near" lighthouse. I have to agree that if a 3 day search was done for Mr. Pterudis it would have involved people from Sanibel (not many people there in 1961...incorporation didn't happen until 1974) who would have put 2 and 2 together. But still very interesting nonetheless.

 

[MagicCityMan]

Ok, a Google search for John Pterudis Ft. Myers yields a result from the January 16, 1962 Sarasota Herald Tribune stating that he would be headed back to Ft. Myers to face trial on charges of conspiracy to make a false statement to the Coast Guard. Don't have access to article but needless to say, that is interesting.
Guess he is not Lighthouse Doe.

 

[Caring1]

Ok, a Google search for John Pterudis Ft. Myers yields a result from the January 16, 1962 Sarasota Herald Tribune stating that he would be headed back to Ft. Myers to face trial on charges of conspiracy to make a false statement to the Coast Guard. Don't have access to article but needless to say, that is interesting.
Guess he is not Lighthouse Doe.

Hopefully, you can access this article and you are absolutely right, it is interesting and he is not Lighthouse Doe. Pterudis fakes his own drowning and was found in New York. Wild!

Jan 06, 1962, page 1 - News-Press at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from News-Press dated Jan 06, 1962, page 1.

www.newspapers.com

 

[PatLaurel]

Hopefully, you can access this article and you are absolutely right, it is interesting and he is not Lighthouse Doe. Pterudis fakes his own drowning and was found in New York. Wild!

Jan 06, 1962, page 1 - News-Press at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from News-Press dated Jan 06, 1962, page 1.

www.newspapers.com

The correct link to the article: Article clipped from News-Press

ETA: pages are not public, only the articles clipped by members.

 

[PatLaurel]

There was a shrimp fisherman that was lost overboard from a bait boat 3 miles from the Sanibel Lighthouse in April 1961 but since there were several intense searches for him I would expect for them to know whether the man found was him. Interesting timing though.

His name was John Pterudis from Ft. Myers.

Apr 12, 1961, page 63 - The Miami Herald at Newspapers.com - Newspapers.com

View the digital scanned newspaper from The Miami Herald dated Apr 12, 1961, page 63.

www.newspapers.com

Sanibel Fisherman 1961

 

[MagicCityMan]

Thanks for the article links. Wow, Florida has always been a magnet for shysters...even way back then .

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Ok, a Google search for John Pterudis Ft. Myers yields a result from the January 16, 1962 Sarasota Herald Tribune stating that he would be headed back to Ft. Myers to face trial on charges of conspiracy to make a false statement to the Coast Guard. Don't have access to article but needless to say, that is interesting.
Guess he is not Lighthouse Doe.

Records show he died in 1977. How bizarre.

 

[musicaljoke]

So then, this Doe was not John Pterudis. Who can he possibly be? @othram would be able to find out, I'm sure.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Delaware County Daily Times from Chester, Pennsylvania

Get this Delaware County Daily Times page for free from Thursday, May 4, 1961 4. DELAWARE COUNTY (PA.) DAILY TIMES Thursday. May 4.. Edition of Delaware County Daily Times

www.newspapers.com

Christopher Robert “Chris” Coristine (1942-1961)...

Died in the sinking of the schooner Albatross ------------------------------------------- Following provided by Alexis Witt Christopher B. Sheldon's Ocean Academy of Darien, Connecticut, acquired the brigantine Albatross in 1959. The ship was used for student education and combined preparatory...

www.findagrave.com

Six passengers were lost on the Albatross in May 1961. Not sure how close by that would've been.

 

[PatLaurel]

Thanks for the article links. Wow, Florida has always been a magnet for shysters...even way back then .

Pterudis was not very smart though... Boarded a New York bound bus under the name of John Petrakis but, when in hospital for a bleeding ulcer, put his wife's real name down as NOK.