Black Marlin workers ‘devastated’ by Hilton Head bartender’s passing
The food and beverage community on Hilton Head is mourning the loss of a bartender known for his big heart.
John “Johnny” Kuhn, a bartender at Black Marlin and islander of nearly 15 years, died unexpectedly on Sep. 22. He was 33.
“Johnny was the best guy,” said Shawna Campbell, who has worked at the Black Marlin with Kuhn for six years.
He was “the person that you’d always go to that would make you laugh when you’re having a bad day,” Campbell said.
He had a nickname for everyone, and rarely called anyone by their real name, she said. He loved fishing, volleyball, and most of all, his dog, Pepper.
Campbell said. “It was devastating for not only us, the Black Marlin, but the community as a whole.”
Originally from Pittsburgh, Kuhn moved to Hilton Head about 15 years ago. It was not long after that when he started playing volleyball with a group locals at the Tiki Hut, back when it was still “old school” with yellow nets instead of blue nets.
Former Island Packet photographer Jay Karr captured one of these volleyball moments in a Feb. 7, 2014 issue: Kuhn leaping in the air, reaching for the ball, wearing nothing but a pair of swim trunks and sunglasses.
“He could jump,” recalled longtime friend Carlie Van. “Being short, he could jump so high and move his body in a twisted way.”
Kuhn’s sister Paige, who also works at the Black Marlin, keeps the clipping of the photo on her wall.
“The island has shown so much love,” said Paige Kuhn. She helped organize a celebration of life for Johnny at Lowcountry Celebration Park Saturday afternoon. “It’s unimaginable how many people have reached out to me and got this together today.”
Dozens of people from the Hilton Head community showed up Saturday afternoon, bringing food and snacks for the event. A volleyball net was set up in the park. Black Marlin employees took turns working so that everyone had a chance to come.
“We did everything together,” said John Kuhn’s brother, Jason Kuhn. He showed pictures from a recent fishing trip he and John went on earlier this month. “I’m surprised I’m [not] crying as much as I thought I would be crying.”
“He touched a lot of people,” said father John Kuhn, Sr.
John’s mother Jackie Kuhn said at the celebration of his life, “I miss him, and I love him, he was the best.”
