July 30, 2014

Ommy Irizarry - U.S. soldier and his daughter killed in a tragic accident on a Florida beach

(Left to Right) - Oceana, Rebecca and Ommy Irizarry
Sgt. Ommy Irizarry, age 36, died on July 27, 2014, at Caspersen Beach in Venice, Florida.

His daughter, Oceana, age 9, died on July 29, 2014, at a local hospital.

Around 2:45 p.m., Ommy and Oceana were walking along the crowded beach looking for snails and shells, when a Piper Cherokee aircraft crash landed, striking them. Ommy died at the scene and his daughter was airlifted to a local hospital but succumbed to her injuries.

A Piper Cherokee is a small plane with one propeller. The plane involved in this tragedy had a pilot, Karl Kokomoor, age 57, and one passenger, David Theen, age 60, both of Englewood, Florida. The two men survived.

The details of the crash are sketchy. It is unclear what caused the plane to malfunction. It is believed that Ommy and Oceana were looking in the opposite direction and didn't see the plane descending.  It is also believed that the plane's engine had cut out so they wouldn't have heard it either. They were caught offguard.

Ommy was vacationing in Florida from his home in Georgia. He was stationed at Fort Stewart in Georgia. He was celebrating his ninth wedding anniversary. He was with his wife, Rebecca; his two daughters and a son from a previous marriage.

Ommy's mother, Isabel Medina, and her husband, were at the beach and sadly witnessed the tragedy.  Isabel was transported to a local hospital with cardiac issues.

A few hours before the tragedy, Ommy had written on his Facebook page, "Thank you for being with me through thick and thin. I love you with all my heart, mi Roma. I am very happy and can't wait to see what the next 100 years have in store for us."

Sgt. Irizarry was originally from Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. He had 12 years of service in
Mary, pray for Oceana and
Ommy.  Pray for Rebecca
who has lost them.
the Army and had been deployed twice to Iraq. He was stationed at Fort Stewart in 2010.

Friends describe Ommy as a great father to his kids.

An online fundraising page on GoFundMe.com is available to assist the Irizarry family with expenses.

Ommy's military comrades are in mourning over the death of their brother. He will be forever remembered.

Ommy and Oceana's family members are devastated by their sudden and tragic deaths. They will be forever mourned. Seas full of tears will be shed for them.

Ommy and Oceana are survived by many loving friends and relatives, including Isabel Medina and Rebecca Irizarry.

Thank you for your service to your country, Ommy.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and are gone before we can say goodbye.

Pray for the children who never got a chance to grow up.

Pray that Ommy and Oceana are in heaven. Pray that they are at peace and are with God. Amen.

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