Go Fund Me Site established for 18 year old drowning victim

By Linda Cicoira

The Parksley family of the young man who accidentally drowned at Assateague earlier this week told of the tragic loss of their 18-year-old in a GoFundMe page, and need help paying for the funeral viewing and shipping of his body to his native Guatemala.

Crecensio Chavez was lost in the ocean waters at the beach at the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Thursday, July 24. Lifeguards and other responders searched for Chavez as soon as his disappearance was reported. He was eventually found, but sadly could not be saved.

“My family and I would like to thank everyone who tried to help save my cousin,” Alicia Perez wrote on the site. “Especially to the person who was wearing an orange shirt, I don’t have his name at the moment, but I want to thank him from the bottom of my heart. Also, to his wife, who was comforting us and being there with us. May God bless you today and always, and your family. I also want to thank everyone who was trying to help … and everyone who was there with my family, comforting us. Also, to all those who were praying, I would like to thank you … for your prayers.”

“It has been a very hard time for us and the parents,” she continued. “Currently, the mother is in Guatemala, and the father has been unemployed for the past five years due to losing one of his legs.”

Shore Daily News heard about the tragedy and attempted to learn what happened on July 24. Local officials did not disclose any details as policies kept them from doing so. However information was released to another media source. According to a report on WAVY.com, ” the incident happened around 4:15 p.m. when a relative approached the lifeguards noting that two swimmers were struggling. One was rescued successfully while the other, an 18 year old male was found unconscious and unresponsive. CPR was performed and the victim was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival. It is reported that the incident happened 150 yards south of the lifeguarded zone and that on duty lifeguards responded immediately and helped with the search.”

Chavez “was a very lovable, funny, and caring person,” his cousin said. He always brought “joy to the family and friends” and “would always make you smile or laugh.” Perez also described her cousin as “such a hard-working man. He attended Arcadia High School. When he was in school, we encouraged him to always follow his dreams. We also encouraged him to finish his education so that he could be a graduate in his family. But unfortunately, due to his father losing one of his legs, he had to quit school so that he could maintain the household since his father couldn’t work. Three years later, he lost his brother in Guatemala. Although we know he has gone to a better place and is resting, he has left a big absence in our lives and hearts.”

“During this hard time, we only ask for a prayer and your condolences. However, if you would like to donate and help us … for the costs of the funeral, … we would be more than grateful and appreciative. This truly is a heartbreaking moment for all of us, but our main goal is to be able to properly say our goodbyes, and to send him off to his home country so his mom, siblings, and family back home can say their last goodbyes … May God bless you all.”