Donald James Sack saved Martin Poirier from drowning, Shelter Cove, California, March 25, 2000. Poirier, 37, was swept into the Pacific Ocean by the strong backwash of a breaking wave as he attempted to save members of his hiking group who also were swept into the ocean. In his 18-foot boat on the ocean about six miles away, Sack, 46, fisherman, learned of the situation by radio and responded to the scene. Finding one of the victims beyond the breakers, Sack secured her and took her to another boat that had responded. Returning to the scene to look for other victims, Sack saw Poirier at a point closer to shore, or well into the 12-foot breakers. Sack took his boat into the breakers and maneuvered it to a point near Poirier. After shouting to get Poirier’s attention, Sack threw him a line as he turned his boat to face the breakers. Poirier grasped the rope and held it as Sack towed him from the breakers. Sack then positioned Poirier against the boat and secured him by an arm as he single-handedly took the boat to calmer waters. Another fisherman boarded the boat and helped Sack pull Poirier from the 48-degree water. Sack took Poirier to shore, from where Poirier was taken to the hospital. He was detained overnight for treatment of having nearly drowned and hypothermia, and he recovered. Sack twisted his right knee, but he too recovered. Three members of Poirier’s hiking group drowned.
Obituary
Donald James Sack, fondly known as Donnie to his friends and family, passed away suddenly at the age of 73 on September 4th, 2026, at his home in Shelter Cove, Southern Humboldt, California. He was born in Eureka, California, to Ernie and Georgia Sack. Don’s life was filled with many adventures, as he travelled through life with his freewheeling spirit. At 10 years old, he was already a seasoned commercial fisherman, helping his dad with his two brothers, Ron and John, on his boat, the Johnnie Lee. They travelled up and down the west coast from the Columbia River to Southern California in search of salmon and albacore, and in the winter, they fished crab around Eureka and Trinidad. Later, in the eighties, he became a member of Shelter Cove’s famous Mosquito Fleet, fishing alongside his lifelong friend, fellow musician, and partner-in-crime, Bill “Burgie” Hebard. At the age of 34 he moved from Eureka to Shelter Cove with his wife Susan, and built a house overlooking the ocean. He called Shelter Cove his home port.
At 12 years old, Don was a professional drummer and singer, and was gigging in bars in Arcata and Eureka with his twin brother Ron, who played lead guitar. In his early years, he played with Poison, the Dale Hustler Band, Tight Squeeze, Bishop Mayfield, 99 Degrees, Small Craft Advisory, FOG, Top Dead Center and Black Sand, to name but a few. “Poison” was the HSU house band and played at Eureka High School hops. He performed at the Redwood Run while playing in Black Sand, and jammed with Van Morrison, David Hayes and Santana. He was also the founding member of the Breakers Band, who played alongside Melvin Seals and Jerry Garcia Band, raising money for a Southern Humboldt after school kid’s music program administered by the non-profit, Help’s on the Way. The Breakers have donated many gigs to many good causes, such as supporting our local fire departments. He recently formed a new band called Dynamite, named after his commercial fishing boat. The bands were like family to him, and Don inspired many fellow band members to expand their vocal skills, as he was an excellent harmony teacher. Music was the center of his soul, and he played professionally for most of his life.
Hunting and the outdoors were passions that his dad introduced him to at an early age. He spent every fall pursuing deer and elk with family and friends, sometimes travelling out of state. Don worked as a stone mason, building foundations and custom rock walls, a steel fabricator, building steel fishing boats at south Bay Marina, and he also spent time working as a choker setter for Browns Logging located in Ruth. He volunteered to serve in the Navy as a plane captain, was a Carnegie Hero medal and grant recipient, awarded for risking his life rescuing two Canadians from the ocean, he pulled a man from a burning vehicle while stationed in Missouri, and he helped rescue a seriously injured logger from the woods in the vicinity of Honeydew. He was always the first to stand up and help his fellow neighbors in need. He also found time to volunteer as a Mattole Grange Board member.
Don had an out of body experience when he was fifty. He flat-lined for 23 minutes after a cardiac arrest and went to hell, then to heaven, where God spoke to him and sent him back to earth to be a better person. He was not afraid of death, and wanted people to know heaven was a beautiful place. Don leaves behind a legacy of his dedication, bravery, wit, and compassion that will continue to inspire all who knew him. We all miss you brother. May your heavenly seas be calm and bountiful.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; his four children, Molly, Sam, Georgia and Luke; his beloved grandchildren, Raine, Sariyah, Naiya, Samara, Karina, Derek and Ryder and his great grandchildren Liam and Ella. He has many other family members, as well as family on his ex-wife’s side, who he also deeply loved.