On Wednesday, November 28, 2012 Jon Ain lost his courageous battle with cancer. Jon was passionate about life, family, friends and fishing, with a particular focus on his tireless pursuit of his Holy Grail, permit. Jon was a Permit Whisperer with a keen interest in the research of growing the knowledge of permit about which little is known.
Born on August 12, 1944 in Washington, DC, Jon attended high school in West Orange, New Jersey, went on to Cornell University where he obtained a BS in Zoology. Jon then attended Harvard Medical School, graduated in 1970, practiced medicine on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona / New Mexico and then began a residency and practice in Diagnostic Radiology in Colorado. After retiring Jon and his wife Shirley Ain split their time between Sugarloaf Shores, Florida and Vail, Colorado.
Jon was a member of the Board of Directors of the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, ran the March Merkin Invitational Permit Tournament in Key West, which has raised in excess of $70,000 for charities, was a non-guide member of the board of the Lower Keys Guides Association and served on the Scientific Advisory Board of Psilos Funds, a group of venture capital funds.
Jon is survived by his beloved wife Shirley Ain – a true renaissance woman, their spiritual advisor and best friend Merkin the wonder dog, stepdaughters Erica Summy and Tamara Summy, both of Colorado, sister Noa Ain, niece Julia Krupa, both of New York. Family, friends, fishermen and fisheries have lost a great friend. If you would like to make a contribution to The Jon Ain Memorial Fund, please click here.
