RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A North Carolina political strategist was killed over the weekend after boating accident off the coast, federal authorities said.

A spokesman for the National Park Service on Tuesday identified the victim as Conen Morgan, 42.

Morgan was the president of Longleaf Agency and a North Carolina State University graduate, and he was eulogized and praised on social media by elected leaders ranging from Gov. Roy Cooper to state Rep. Robert Reives, the House Democratic leader.

The governor posted on Twitter that Morgan’s “hard work and determination made a real, positive difference for people of North Carolina.”

“His loss is a tragedy and we send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” Cooper said.

“I’m deeply saddened by the death of my friend and fellow Garner Trojan and Wolfpack alumnus, Conen Morgan. He will truly be missed and forever remembered for his radiant smile, soft spoken words of wisdom, thoughtfulness and genuine concern for mankind,” said Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe.

Among the officials whose campaigns were cited as clients of Morgan’s firm: U.S. Reps. Alma Adams and Valerie Foushee and Durham Mayor Elaine O’Neal.

Nate Toering of the National Park Service previously said a wave ejected three boaters from their watercraft Sunday in the ocean south of Shackleford Banks.

All three returned to the beach, but the man collapsed around the wave line, he said.

The other passengers performed CPR on him and dialed 911 at 4:47 p.m., with park rangers reaching the site within 15 minutes and paramedics from the fire departments from Harkers Island and Beaufort taking over after that, Toering said.

Toering says National Park Service rangers are handling the investigation in conjunction with the U.S. Coast Guard and N.C. Wildlife.