More info on my dad
 

Hi all,

Again, thank you all for your outpouring of support for my dad. We have been reading your blog posts over and over and mom crys every time to think that dad was so well loved in the fishing community. It's funny, we all knew he loved to fish, but we really had no idea how many people he touched as a result.

I know so many of you would like to know what happened and I'm very sorry to report that the medical examiner has now concluded that the cause of death was accidental drowning and not heart attack or some other cause. This news was particularly devastating to our family as I know it will be to all of you. What is most surprising to me is that this happened to my dad who ALWAYS taught me to respect the ocean and never turn my back on the surf. We knew dad took risks fishing, but I always trusted that the risks were reasonable and that he had taken proper precautions to avoid injury. When I asked, he told me that he always wore a life vest when wet suiting. Clearly in this case he was not wearing a life vest and he was fishing alone which was not smart.

A special thank you to all who were involved in the search and recovery of his body. We hope to be in contact with you shortly to express our thanks personally.

I know my dad wouldn't have been living if he couldn't fish and he died doing what he loved, but he left a huge hole in our lives that will never be filled. If no other good comes from dad's death, I hope that all of you guys will recognize the risks associated with your sport and not take undue risk (especially as you get older) if only for the sake of your families.

For those who are local, dad's wake will be held at Hill Funeral Home in East Greenwich, RI this Wednesday from 5 - 8pm and his funeral will be the following day at 10am at Our Lady of Mercy also in East Greewich.

My kindest regards,

Mike

Mike, I am sorry about the loss of your father.
It sounds as if he lived life fully and left a positive mark on many others, the very definition of a life well lived.

As for how he died, the medical examiner report unfortunately does not always tell the full story. Cardiac arrhythmias often cause sudden death and leave no sign of heart attack. Such events often result in several gasping breaths after loss of consciousness and, if occurring in water, would cause aspiration that on autopsy would look like drowning. Your father was very experienced swimming in a wetsuit and the suit provides a lot flotation. There is a good chance something caused him to lose consciousness before he passed.

Very sorry for the loss of your father. RIP Al.

Mike I am truly sorry for your loss. Back in 2003 or 04 perhaps I was on the ferry coming back from Block Island with Cowhunter, Ken noticed your dads hands and pointed them out to me, they were all scraped up with pad marks from all the fish he had caught the night before. We started talking to him (Ken mostly) and it took a while for him to warm up to us but we engaged in great conversation about Block Island all the way back to Point Judith. He was a great conversationalist as well as some what of a mentor, in his own way, to many, many, younger surf men. He will be sadly missed. Thoughts and prayers to all his loved ones, Bob C

Mike, our sincere condolences on your father's passing. He was very well liked and very well respected.

Condolences to you and your family on the loss of your father.

This is pretty tough to swallow and I really appreciate you letting everyone know the actual circumstances of his death. I would be willing to bet that most of us assumed that he did not pass due to accidental drowning based on his years of experience.

I am so sorry that you and your family have to deal with the death of a loved one this way. I can not even imagine.

I wish you all the best as you and your family move forward.

Link to Al's obituary. May you rest in peace.

Hill Funeral Home of East Greenwich : Obituaries

DZ

Sorry for your loss, sounds like a great guy wish I had met him.