The funeral service for Spencer Korwin, a former Team USA triathlete and father of two, was held Sunday at Temple Israel in New York City, where his widow, Carly Korwin, delivered a tearful eulogy.
Spencer Korwin, 38, of Manhattan, drowned on Wednesday while on vacation with his wife at the Pridwin Hotel on Shelter Island. He entered the water for a morning swim around 8 a.m. near the hotel's docks. His body was recovered around 3 p.m. underneath the docks.
"This is a nightmare. This is the worst day of my life. I can't accept that this is real and that Spencer is not going to come home," Carly Korwin said during her tribute, describing their relationship as a "beautiful and special once-in-a-lifetime type of love." She recounted how her husband would leave notes and set up automated texts to remind her of his love and to praise her as a mother and wife.
The couple, who met after graduating from Syracuse University, had two daughters, Sadie, 4, and Colette, 1. "He was the sun around which so many of our lives orbited, and his loss is being felt deeply by everyone who knew and loved him," a family friend wrote on a GoFundMe page established to support his children. The fundraiser has raised nearly $340,000 toward its $500,000 goal.
Officials believe Korwin died from accidental drowning. Shelter Island Police Chief James Read noted that while the waters were calm the day of the incident, the area can experience strong currents due to the narrow passage and boat traffic. The official cause of death is pending a medical examiner's report.
Korwin was a member of Team USA in 2012, competing in the Triathlon World Championship in Auckland, New Zealand. He was sponsored by Gatorade for five years. In 2020, he opened a children's outdoor summer camp in Southampton, and in 2021, he founded Korwin Health & Wellness, a company focused on personal fitness and holistic health. He also worked as a trainer for SportsLab NYC.
This is the second drowning incident off Shelter Island this summer. On May 16, college student Timothy Magambo drowned off Wades Beach while swimming with a group. Authorities have advised swimmers to avoid venturing too deep into the water or swimming in areas with strong currents. Lifeguards are typically on duty from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.