Ernie Panacek, the longtime general manager of the Viking Village docks in Barnegat Light, N.J., died Jan. 23 after battling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or ALS.

Panacek, 75, was “a respected leader in the commercial fishing and seafood industry and a true legend whose vision and dedication shaped this dock and industry for generations,” according to a statement from Viking Village announcing his death. “His hard work and commitment to fishermen have benefited thousands of lives and families.”

Panacek earned an accounting degree from Marquette University and began a long association with the Barnegat Light fishing community after moving to Long Beach Island in the 1980s. Working with fishermen at Viking Village, named for Scandinavians who began settling there in the 1920s, Panacek was a fixture at the dock handling daily catches from scallop, longline and gillnet fisheries.

He was among founders of the New Jersey Seafood Harvesters' Association and a director for the Bluewater Fishermen's Association that advocated for the U.S. East Coast pelagic longline fleet. With his deep knowledge of the Mid-Atlantic fisheries, Panacek was a resource for the industry and over the years testified for members of Congress.

Panacek is survived by his wife Kristine Larson Panacek and three grown children.

“He will be deeply missed by all of us, especially by his family who he loved the most,” according to the Viking Village statement. “A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 31st at 2:00 PM at the Chapel at the Harvey Cedars Bible Conference. We invite all who knew and respected Ernie to join us in honoring his life and legacy.”