'Wicked Tuna' star Nicholas 'Duffy' Fudge dies 'unexpectedly' at 28

Nicholas “Duffy” Fudge, who appeared on Wicked Tuna, the National Geographic Channel’s reality series about commercial tuna fishermen, died on July 19 at age 28.

The network confirmed the death, describing it as an “untimely loss.” Fudge was the first mate on Captain Tyler McLaughlin’s fishing boat, the Pinwheel.

The network held a moment of silence in his honor on Twitter as the show’s July 22 episode aired.

According to Fudge’s obituary, the Greenland, N.H., resident died “unexpectedly,” but there is no information beyond that.

The obit also talked about his “passions” for “fishing and the outdoors.” It reads: “As a child, Nick began tuna fishing with his father and grandfather. After becoming one of the top sport fishermen in the country, he earned a place on the National Geographic reality show Wicked Tuna for multiple seasons. Nick also treasured the environment, and he took seriously his responsibility to protect it.”

It also said that “his presence could light up any room,” and he had a “heart of gold.”

Fudge’s family asked that donations be made to a memorial fund, with proceeds benefiting environmental preservation.

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