Tributes have been pouring in following the death of The Curse of Oak Island legend Dan Blankenship.
History and Prometheus Entertainment, the network and production company behind the hit show, led the way in honoring the long-time treasure-hunter, who passed away at the age of 95 on Tuesday.
History said on the official The Curse of Oak Island Twitter account that Dan would be “greatly missed”, while Prometheus Entertainment described him as a “pillar of strength to those around him”, adding: “We will be forever grateful for the time we had with him.”
We are saddened by the loss of Dan Blankenship, a beloved member of the @HISTORY family. He will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/n0w7KlKX5Q
— Curse of Oak Island (@CurseOfOak) March 19, 2019
We would like to extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Dan Blankenship who passed away yesterday at the age of 95. Dan was known as a pillar of strength to those around him and we will be forever grateful for the time we had with him. pic.twitter.com/7MZAdC7nHx
— Prometheus (@PrometheusEnt) March 18, 2019
Matty Blake, host of The Curse of Oak Island’s “Drilling Down” spin-offs, also posted a touching tribute showing him sharing a moment with Dan during filming for the show, with a caption reading “#legend”.
Metal-detecting expert Gary Drayton, who has found many of the most important finds on Oak Island in recent years, offered condolences to Dan’s family, and added a light-hearted note joking about how the treasure-hunter couldn’t understand his British accent when they first met.
?? #legend #blankenship pic.twitter.com/bmxaxCNAGU
— Matty Blake (@TheMattyBlake) March 18, 2019
The Friends of Oak Island Society and Oak Island Tours, Inc., which together run official tours of the island, also posted messages in tribute.
Meanwhile, fans in their thousands posted messages on social media paying tribute to Dan. He had been a huge presence on The Curse of Oak Island over the years, where he regularly shared his extensive knowledge with the team, and was beloved by viewers.
This is such a sad news. Dan Blankenship was a true model of perseverance, to always seek the turth and pursue your dreams, no matter how crazy they may seem. #OakIsland https://t.co/Ni632J7YNv
— Rebecca Verdon (@rebeccaverdon) March 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/MichaelEast83/status/1107705363460182017
Oak Island treasure hunter Dan Blankenship has passed away at 95. R.I.P. to one hell of a treasure hunter!#OakIsland
— Esoteric Visions of Obscura (@MarkObscura) March 19, 2019
Sad to hear today about the passing of Dan Blankenship. Like my father, I was fortunate to get to know and work with Dan over the years. He was the heart and soul of Oak Island and a legend. We will all miss him. Rest in Peace, Dan. pic.twitter.com/l4kF4VFatV
— Paul Troutman (@mrptroutman) March 19, 2019
American-born Dan spent more than half a century looking for treasure on Oak Island after first moving there in 1965. He ventured to Nova Scotia after reading about Oak Island and its famous Money Pit in a Reader’s Digest article — the same article which inspired the two brothers at the center of the treasure hunt today, Rick and Marty Lagina.
The Curse of Oak Island airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on History.
To Dan Blankenship family; My condolences to you & yours in the loss of Dan. He was Oak Island in spirit, knowledge, and more. If it wasn’t for him, we all wouldn’t be glued to our TV sets to wee what’s going to happen next. And the millions of us that hated history in school have grown a new appreciation of history. I will keep you all in my prayers for this year. The first year w/out a loved one is the hardest. Thank you all for sharing Dan with the Oak Island fans & the world. Amen. He was Blessed!!!