The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

A TOP Florida businessman was one of two men who drowned over the weekend.

The victim, who was reported missing on Friday and discovered early Saturday morning, was identified as Jeff Bolton, co-founder of the Daszkal Bolton accounting firm. He was 47.

The South Florida businessman was reported missing around 6:30pm Friday when he was swept out to sea with three other visitors. They were snorkelling off Eleuthera when the incident occurred.

“He was vacationing and went swimming with a group in what seemed to be a very safe area,” said Susan Kaplan, director of marketing for the firm. “Some serious rip currents came along. Unfortunately, Jeff was not a good swimmer. There was nothing that his friends could do.”

Three of the swimmers were able to swim against the current and make it back to shore, but Bolton drifted out to sea.

His body was discovered around 10am Saturday on Bird Cay at the south end of the Berry Island chain.

Mr. Bolton founded the accounting firm in 1992 with Michael Daszkal. He was instrumental in the growth of the firm to three offices in South Florida, Mr Daszkal said Monday.

“Jeff was one of South Florida’s best accountants when it came to entrepreneurs and family-owned or closely held businesses. His passing is a tremendous loss to family, friends, clients and the community at large,” Mr Daskal said in a statement.

Mr Bolton earned national recognition as a “Pathfinder” by the American Institute of CPAs and as a Small Business Leader of the Year by the Greater Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce.

Mr Bolton is survived by his wife, Mirka, his two children, Jason and Lexi, as well as his brother, Brian Bolton, and his parents Joel and Barbara Bolton.

Yesterday, another body of a diver was pulled from the water, this time from Montagu Bay.

According to Superintendent Stephen Dean, the body was discovered around 12:30pm.

“Someone was swimming in waters on Montagu Beach when they saw something floating in the water. Upon close inspection they discovered the body of a dark male in waters about 15 feet from the shoreline. He was wearing a dive suit and goggles. We suspect he was snorkelling,” he said.

Supt Dean said police have no identity for the man and is urging anyone who might be missing a loved one fitting the description to contact them. Investigations are continuing.