Man Struck By LIRR Train Remembered: 'He Had A Heart Of Gold'

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Friends are mourning a man struck and killed by a Long Island Rail Road train in Southampton Monday night.

The man who lost his life 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 filled with love and respect for a life lived with kindness.

"Raf was a staple at the Shinnecock Canal," he said. "Sharing food, drinks, bait, and fishing tips to anyone who would ask. He had a heart of gold. Raf had an undying love for nature, the ocean, and all the natural beauty this earth has to offer. When he wasn't fishing, he spent the majority of the rest of his free time cleaning up local fishing spots, pieces of public wooded 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 that love of all nature, especially the sea gulls and deer he took care of on a daily basis. No one on this earth had a kinder more gentle soul than Rafal," he said. "Sadly, Raf's demons caught up to him as they became too much for him to handle . . . With a heart full of gold, Raf 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 most and best quality fluke, but he would do it using tackle he'd found that people had forgotten and left on the ground. He loved to show a new fisherman a couple of tricks and give them some tackle out of his box. He loved to help people."

Although his friend never had much financially, he had other gifts to share, Laurice said.

"He had so much to offer with his love and kindness to anyone he encountered. Raf had the least — but always offered the most. He had a special love in his heart for all birds, from sea gulls to bald eagles. I hope his pain is gone and he is at peace and happy for once in his long life. Raf was a saint. A true saint. So in the name of Rafal Stoklosa, the kindest, sweetest, most loving soul that ever lived, let's make this world a more loving and liveable place for all people and animals alike," he said.

According to the MTA, the incident took place at 7 p.m. Monday when an eastbound train struck Stoklosa at a location west of the Hills Station Road bridge in Southampton; the bridge carries the Montauk Branch over Hills Station Road.

The incident was reportedly believed to be non-criminal. The investigation is ongoing.

The train involved was the 4:30 p.m. departure from Hunterspoint Avenue, due into 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 the customers to continue their trips. Service on the Montauk branch was formally suspended east of Speonk until 10:39 p.m., resulting in two additional affected trains, the MTA said.