Center Moriches Student Lost While Fishing From Jetty

Joseph Rera, 16, a junior at Center Moriches High School, died on Friday, November 6, after he apparently fell into the water while fishing from the jetty at Moriches Inlet at Cupsogue Beach County Park.

Joseph was the son of Derek and Erin Rera of Center Moriches. They could not be reached for comment.

His friend and classmate James Debler-Seidel has set up a GoFundMe page (gofundme.com/joseph-rera-family-fund) to raise money for his friend’s funeral expenses.

“This kid was my best friend,” James said on Tuesday. “He was always there for me, even when I had nothing. I’d do anything to help his family.”

He said Joseph loved fishing and the outdoors. “No matter where we were,” he’d bring up fishing,” he said. “He was definitely passionate about it.”

He also described Joseph as outgoing. “He was a very fun guy,” he said. “He would light up every room he walked into. He’d put a smile on everyone’s face.”

Friends gathered at St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church in Center Moriches for a candlelight vigil on Saturday.

After receiving word of his death, Ronald Masera, the superintendent of the Center Moriches School District, sent a letter to school community members informing them of the tragedy.

“It is with profound sadness that I share with you some devastating news regarding one of our Center Moriches High School students,” he wrote. “We were informed by the Rera family that on Friday evening their son Joseph was lost in a tragic fishing accident. Joseph’s body has not been recovered. Joe was in his junior year at Center Moriches High School. I know the entire Center Moriches community joins me in expressing our heartfelt condolences to the entire Rera family.”

Beginning Monday, November 9, the superintendent said a support and counseling center would be set up at the high school, and that the library and outdoor courtyard would be used so students could gather in a safe manner during the ongoing pandemic to mourn. He added that members of the school’s mental health team would be available to assist students, families, and school staff members in coping with the tragedy.

Suffolk County Police said they received a report that a fisherman had disappeared into the water of Moriches Inlet at about 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Although conditions were calm and the tide was low, a fog was moving in, limiting visibility.

Although the County Police Marine Bureau, the U.S. Coast Guard, and others joined in the search, he could not be found.