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John B. Westerhoff Jr. died on Wednesday, September 4. He was 56.
Mr. Westerhoff was born in Southampton on July 23, 1957, the son of Gloria (Dietz) and John B. Westerhoff Sr. He graduated from Southampton High School and went on to earn a degree from Dowling College in Oakdale. He was the co-owner/manager of John Duck Jr. Restaurant in Southampton, which his family owned for more than 100 years. He spent most of his time at the restaurant working as a host and bartender, while his brother, Mark, was head chef and manager of the kitchen. For the last four years, Mr. Westerhoff was employed as a bartender at the Maidstone Club in East Hampton, where he continued to enjoy all the social and working aspects of the restaurant business.
Mr. Westerhoff was a member of the Southampton Fire Police for 27 years and held the rank of captain. He was also a member of the Benevolent and Protected Order of Elks in Southampton. He enjoyed volunteering for various events in the community.
He was an avid reader of thrillers and mysteries and a huge Grateful Dead fan and a loyal Mets fan. He liked to take his mother out for dinner and he would take occasional day trips to Foxwoods. Survivors said he enjoyed taking trips with his daughter Dyan to various museums in the area and to New York City at Christmastime to watch Broadway plays and shows. He also enjoyed playing cribbage with his family.
In Mt. Dora, Florida, where he spent the winters, he was a visiting member of the Elks Lodge.
Mr. Westerhoff was known for his warm welcoming smile, his stories and his jokes, survivors said. They said he was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who asked.
He is survived by a daughter, Dyan J. Westerhoff of Southampton; his mother, Gloria, of Southampton; two sisters, Susan Armusewicz and husband Robert of Water Mill, and Jan Westerhoff and partner Judy Parant of Massachusetts; and a brother, Mark Westerhoff and wife Elizabeth of Southampton. He is also survived by a niece, Jennifer Warner and husband Kirk and their children, Kyle and Wesley; and nephews, Brian Armusewicz and wife Marcy, and Christian and Nicolas Westerhoff; and by three aunts and many cousins. He was predeceased by his father, John B. Westerhoff Sr.
Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton.
Memorial donations may be made to the Southampton Fire Department Benevolent Fund.
on Sep 9, 2013