FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – A long-time ferry captain made his last journey across Edison Lake last Friday, but not before helping passengers off his sinking boat.

The coroner's office confirmed that 68-year-old Perry Harris, known affectionately as Captain Paint, died on the water "doing what he loved."

"It helps ease the pain knowing my Uncle Perry 'Paint' passed doing what he loved the most in this world," his niece Kaila said in a social media post. "He had such a positive impact on so many, truly an amazing and genuine person."

While transporting hikers across Lake Edison, the boat hit a submerged rock. Harris navigated the damaged boat to the shore and safely let his passengers off - then he collapsed.

According to the sheriff's office, he had suffered a medical emergency

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