Dec. 8, 2004 –– Elliot Fishman, 81, a St. Thomas businessman, died Wednesday at his New York apartment after a long illness.
Fishman, a developer, moved to St. Thomas in 1949.
With Henry Kimelman, he built the Virgin Isle Hotel under the auspices of Henry Elliot Ltd. The company branched out into wholesale importing and became the West Indies Corp.
Kimelman said he and Fishman married sisters.
"We were like brothers. The family is very close," he said.
Fishman is survived by his wife Louise, two sons, Jeffrey and Robert, and two daughters-in-law, Margaret and Tara. He had five grandchildren.
Kimelman said that Fishman was a fun guy who loved life.
"He was the life of the party and a great storyteller," he said.
While Fishman was a savvy businessman, he may be best known for his prowess as a fisherman. In 1968, he caught an 845-pound blue marlin that held the world record for a number of years. The fish still hangs at Cyril E. King Airport's baggage claim area.
St. Thomas resident Jimmy Loveland said that Fishman was one of the founders of the V.I. Gamefishing Club.
"He was a leader, a very good angler and a very good fisherman," Loveland said.
Loveland said he promoted sportfishing in the Virgin Islands around the world.
Red Bailey, another St. Thomas fisherman, said the two met in the mid-1960s.
"He was a very charming, handsome and generous young man," Bailey recalled.
Funeral services are pending.
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