Krupinski and three others were killed in the crash near Amagansett, New York, the East Hampton Town Police confirmed. The victims were identified as Krupinski, his wife, Bonnie Bistrian Krupinski, and 22-year-old grandson, William Maerov, all of East Hampton, as well as the pilot, Jon Dollard, 47, of Hampton Bays. The Piper PA-31 Navajo plane went down about one mile off shore near Indian Wells Beach at about 2:50 p.m., the New York Post reported.<doc-sep>A plane carrying luxury home contractor Ben Krupinski, his wife Bonnie Bistrian Krupinski, 22-year-old grandson William Maerov and pilot Jon Dollard crashed yesterday afternoon. The plane went down about a mile off the Long Island coastline near Indian Wells Beach on Saturday afternoon around 2:50 p.m., according to the New York Post. The East Hampton Town Police confirmed to ABC affiliate WFTV 9 that all four people on board died in the crash, which is now being investigated. Builder to the stars among those feared dead in Hamptons plane crash https://t.co/w78Q8flObl pic.twitter.com/ZD9Eq2zEjE — Page Six (@PageSix) June 3, 2018 Ben Krupinski has worked with architects such as Herzog & de Meuron, Peter Marino & Associates, Robert A.M. Stern Architect and Selldorf Architects on residential projects throughout the Hamptons, Montauk and Connecticut, according to his website. His star-studded roster of clients included Billy Joel, Christie Brinkley and Martha Stewart, among others. Together, Ben and Bonnie Krupinski built a real estate empire worth about $150 million, according to the Post, which included East Hampton restaurants the 1770 House, East Hampton Point and Cittanuova, the latter of which they had been scheduled to dine Saturday evening. With Bonnie’s family, the couple also owned the East Hampton Golf Club, according to the East Hampton Star. According to the Post, the restaurant closed for the night and workers and patrons gathered later that evening to pay their respects. [NYP] — Erin Hudson<doc-sep>AMAGANSETT, NY — The enormous outpouring of heartbreak and sorrow after a plane crash off Amagansett Saturday is testament to the Ben and Bonnie Krupinski — a rich legacy of lives spent helping others, to open hearts that spent decades sharing with the beautiful East Hampton community they loved so much. "Into the deep blue. Into the deep blue our friends have gone." From the first, when the seemingly impossible word spread that the Krupinskis, as well as their grandson and pilot, had been on the plane that went down in the midst of Saturday's suddenly violent storm, hearts were ripped open wide with grief. "Into the blue. Into the deep blue our friends have gone. We thank you for so many acts of kindness," wrote Mary Bromley on Facebook. From A list celebrities to servers at the restaurants they owned, from elected officials to lifelong friends, the East End was left bereft at the gaping loss, as a search and rescue effort turns into a recovery mission . Martha Stewart also spoke about her grief on social media: "I am devastated by the news of the untimely passing of my dear friends, Ben and Bonnie Krupinski and their grandson William Maerov. Ben and Bonnie were my friends from the moment I met them in the early 1990s," she said. "I was fortunate to work with 'Builder Ben,' as I always called him on the renovation of my 1878 home in East Hampton. I loved his ability to problem solve and build a beautiful homes. Together they were generous philanthropists and supporters of East End businesses. Bromley thanked Krupinski for building The Retreat, a facility that offers services to victims of domestic violence in East Hampton. "Thank you, Bonnie, for your commitment to affordable housing and thanks to both of you for countless other acts of generosity towards our town. There are truly no words, except the many thanks that will pile in as the days go on. Into the blue, our friends have gone, surrounded by the land, the sea, the people they loved and helped." "Will, their grandson was an outstanding young man — very curious, well educated, well-traveled and a delight to be with. I spent a lot of time with Will, advising him on business plans and together we planned his grandparents 70th birthday party last summer. His potential was lost in this very unexpected way. I will miss each of them so very, very much," she wrote. "Bonnie became my dear friend and always exuded charm and practical good sense. When they began raising their grandchildren they did so with gusto, intelligence and a sense of wonder and love," she added. "Ben and Bonnie Krupinski who passed away yesterday were two of the greatest silent contributors to our community. Every repair or construction job was attended to by BKBuilder as a contribution to Guild Hall. Thank you, Ben and Bonnie for all you did to make us thrive," Guild Hall wrote in a statement on social media. Added East Hampton's Greg Mansley: "When I heard the news, I just stopped cold. A great family that has done so much for the people of the community. When I told him the food pantry was running short he took care of it right away. He has helped St. Luke's and many others — always quietly — the mark of a true gentleman." "I'm devastated," Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman said. "This is a devastating loss for the East End." Schneiderman said he has been friends with the Krupinskis for more than 20 years. "I'm speechless," he said. "They were so incredibly generous." East Hampton Town Supervisor Peter Van Scoyoc expressed grief. "I am in shock and filled with great sadness at the loss of Ben and Bonnie Krupinski, their grandson William Maerov, and pilot Jon Dollard in yesterday's tragic accident," he said. "Ben and Bonnie's influence and generosity reached every corner of our community. They were fully committed to East Hampton and they will be sorely missed. Our thought and prayers are with them, their friends, and family." Krupinski was well-known for his beautiful work as a builder for high-profile celebrities including Billy Joel and Jerry Della Femina. The couple's legacy of philanthropy is deeply rooted on the East End: In May, 2017, Ben and Bonnie Krupinski were honored as East Hampton Lions Club Citizens of the Yearfor their generosity to the East End community. As word spread of Krupinski's death, friends were blindsided by the unthinkable. "I am devastated," said longtime friend and former East Hampton Town board member Diana Weir. "They are an integral part of the East Hampton community — one of the most distinguished local families. I am crushed. They were very good to me and all local charities." The Krupinskis, she said, are an "amazing family. Generous benefactors to so many local charities in their hometown. An East Hampton local successful family whose heart and soul cared about their hometown." Remembering Krupinski, she said his death is "a tremendous loss for East Hampton. They never wanted credit or publicity for their amazing generosity. When a local prom lost their venue, Ben picked up the tab and made that prom happen. There are too many stories about things he did like that, without any press." His wife Bonnie has spent a lifetime dedicated to giving back to her town with her "tremendous business acumen serving on various boards. I am heartbroken," Weir said. "I loved them." Weir said the couple and she have remained friends since she served on the town board. "They're a wonderful family." Social media was filled with heartbroken posts from friends Saturday night, with some say the loss was "gutting." According to Maerov's Facebook page, he had just started a new job in New York City with Chandelier Creative. Krupinski was long known for his work ethic and philanthropic spirit. A 1992 article in the New York Times said Krupinski, an"ace East Hampton pilot and contractor to the stars" was "modest and caring in the manner of a doctor making house calls."<doc-sep>“Bonnie, you left us TOO soon, along with Ben and Will...life will never be the same...we are all crying!” Carolyn Miller Kotler posted, along with photographs of the Krupinskis and Maerov. “This family WAS East Hampton...huge loss for so many!”<doc-sep>
(CNN) — A prominent builder, known for erecting mansions in the Hamptons for wealthy celebrities, was aboard a small plane that crashed off the coast of Long Island on Saturday. East Hampton Police say Bernard Krupinski, 70, his wife Bonnie Krupinski, 70, their grandson William Maerov, 22, and pilot John Dollard, 47, were on the plane when it crashed. Krupinski, a East Hampton native, was a well-known businessman who built luxury homes for Martha Stewart and for Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley, among others, according to his website. A 1992 New York Times profile called him “Contractor to the Stars.” The Piper PA31 Navajo plane went down Saturday afternoon about a mile off of Indian Wells Beach, according to a statement from the US Coast Guard. The beach is in Amagansett, near the eastern tip of Long Island. Two bodies have been recovered and two people are still missing. The Coast Guard suspended its search for the two missing people on Sunday afternoon. “Following a tireless search for the two individuals who remain missing, it is with deep sadness that we are suspending the active search efforts,” said Capt. Kevin B. Reed, the local Coast Guard commander. “This is always a difficult decision, and we cannot imagine the pain of those families who have lost their loved ones.” The Coast Guard along with state and local agencies searched for more than 33 hours and covered a 646 square-mile area trying to locate those missing. Police say the identities of the deceased will not be released until there is confirmation from the Suffolk County Medical Examiner’s office. Extreme weather was reported in the area at the time of the crash, the East Hampton Police Department said. The cause of the crash is being investigated by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board. In a statement to CNN, Stewart said she was devastated by the news. “Ben and Bonnie were my friends from the moment I met them in the early 1990s,” she said. “I was fortunate to work with ‘Builder Ben,’ as I always called him, on the renovation of my 1878 home in East Hampton.” Durell Godfrey/The East Hampton Star Bernard and Bonnie Krupinski in May 2017 when they were honored as Citizens of the Year by the East Hampton Lions Club. “I loved his ability to problem solve and build beautiful homes. Together they were generous philanthropists and supporters of East End businesses. Bonnie became my dear friend and always exuded charm and practical good sense.” Her statement also mentioned the Krupinskis’ grandson, William Maerov, whom she described as an “outstanding young man – very curious, well educated, well traveled and a delight to be with.” “I spent a lot of time with Will, advising him on business plans and together we planned his grandparents’$2 70th birthday party last summer. His potential was lost in this very unexpected way.” WPIX The crash occurred off Indian Wells Beach near Amagansett, Long Island. Billy Joel said that Krupinski helped him with his East Hampton house project in the 1980s when construction progress stalled due to bad management. “He was always a gentleman and a fair person to deal with. I liked him personally very much, as well,” Joel said in a statement. “Ben and Bonnie were always quietly doing good things for the community. They will be greatly missed in this part of Long Island.” US Rep. Lee Zeldin, R-New York, described the Krupinskis as a “larger-than-life couple everyone knew, loved, and respected.” “They will be dearly missed by their family, friends, employees, and neighbors who adored them, their vision, love of flying, entrepreneurship, and devotion to the east end of Long Island.” The couple’s commitment to their community was recognized when they were awarded the East Hampton Lions Club’s “Citizens of the Year” award in 2017. “Bonnie and Ben Krupinski were two great pillars of our community, who embodied the values of our town: generosity, warmth, charity, kindness, and hard work,” said Amos Goodman, chairman for the East Hampton Town Republican Committee. “They were personal friends to many, myself included. The apparent loss of life of those aboard the plane today is devastating and cruel.” CNN’s Amanda Jackson and Madeleine Thompson contributed to this report.