Al Durrett owned Fish-Tale Marina on For Myers Beach for over 3 decades, growing the business from a tiny operation to over 100 employees. Durrett, who also managed Santini Plaza at the time, sold Fish-Tale in 2020. He passed away last week at the age of 79.
A service will be held for Durrett this Saturday at 12:30 at the Hodges Funeral Home in Naples located at 525 111th Avenue North.
In addition to being a very successful businessman, Durrett was very philanthropic. He also started The Friends of The Arts.
Before moving to Fort Myers Beach Durrett owned a used car dealership in Columbus, Ohio.
Al always had time to stop and say hi. He paid for the Beach School students to go on the boats for a field trip to Mound Key. A kind, gentle, distinguished man.
My father was one of Fish Tale Marina’s early customers, storing his 13-foot Boston Whaler at the marina for decades. (It looked like a potato chip being carried on the forklift.) Al was as friendly to Dad as to any gold-plated boat owner. When Dad died and my family took a memorial Estero Bay boat trip in spring 2016, Al Durrett arranged for a fine boat and captain and would accept no payment. He was always lovely, kind and generous. My family, along with all of Fort Myers Beach, will miss Al deeply. Condolences to his family.
As many have attested to, Al was a man of many talents, he never met a stranger, loved life and always strived to make our beach a better community. I know I have learned lessons from Al and am grateful for the many memories I have. I am so glad that he took the last few years to spend more time with “family” which could include anyone anywhere! Thank you Al!
Ah yes we will all miss Al. He was a very special guy. So generous to our art association. He made our Paint the Beach events like Festivals. He provided us with a safe space for our art work with AC and electric every time. At the end of the events
he arranged for us to have a reception with his restaurant providing yummy appetizers and drinks by Sylvia of Skye’s Restaurant. Truly a great guy!
Thank you Al for being there for us.
How does one remember Al Durrett with just words? I”m not sure. He was a so much to so many people on the island, and his love for this community was intense. He believed in all of us and in Ft. Myers Beach. He contributed in so many ways, both large and small… most of them folks never even knew about. He was that way… he didn’t need accolades, he didn’t need the limelight, he worked tirelessly to provide for his family, his friends, his team, his partners, his businesses, his philanthropies and his community. He was a visionary in so many ways and always believed in a bright future for FMB. To me, he was a cherished mentor, a loyal friend and an inspiration. The FMB Chamber would not be what it is today with out his guidance and support and the community as a whole is better for his wisdom and service. Condolences to Kathy and Al’s family. I know that he will be watching down on us and cheering FMB on as we continue to recover and rebuild. Tight lines and Godspeed Al! We will miss your smile!
Al was always so supportive of everything Keep Lee County Beautiful did. Every year he opened his business to allow us to “work” from there. He donated funds, had his staff assist us, and was always willing to pitch in himself. Our deepest sympathies to his family and friends.
My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago at the restaurant, we had a very pleasant conversation. So sad to see he had passed. Sympathies to his family and friends.
Al was a great friend to the Fort Myers Beach Art Association as well. His friendship and support to our association and art were over whelming. Condolences to his family.
Generous, kind, giving, funny, loving. Just a few words that cannot even begin to describe Al. Condolences to Kathy and family. He will be missed.
Al was special in so many ways. We knew him when the marina wasn’t much more than a seawall…and our paths were entwined for 40+ years. His love for this island was intense and his generosity was far greater than many realize. The Friends of the Arts still exists, although we’ve been deflated a bit since Ian. I think his favorite shindigs were “Smokin’ in the Mangroves” BBQ contest and the concerts we sponsored at the marina’s Propeller Lounge, where he hosted up to 600 people for the many concerts. Then he and Kathy opened the restaurant…another dream come true. One of the funniest things I ever heard was when they opened the restaurant, and on one especially hot, busy night…Kathy was working. He called her to check in just as she came over to say hi to a bunch of us. Al asked how she was doing, and she said, ” Just great, Al! Livin’ your dream… livin’ your dream”! His last dream for this island was that Beach Elementary reopened after Ian. He knew how vital the school is to our island life, and how important families and the Arts are. He and a wonderful group of people made that happen, against all odds. We’re forever thankful for knowing him. He made a difference. He made us better.
Al Durrett truly such a very special person. Kind, fair and all around wonderful person. It was a gift to have known him. The beautiful foot print he has left will live on in so many positive ways.
Awe, I’m so sorry to hear that. Yes, one of the few businessman on Fort Myers Beach, that didn’t judge anyone from any class. He never forgot a face, even after 30 or more years. He was surely blessed, and he will be surely missed.
My deepest sympathies to his lovely wife, family and good friends on Fort Myers Beach.