HONOLULU (KHON 2) — Tamayo Perry, the lifeguard who was killed after being attacked by a shark over the weekend, was loved by many, especially his wife, who spoke about his accomplishments.
“Every day he wakes up and talks about surfing and how he misses his surf buddies. It’s sad,” Emilia Perry said when asked what she misses most about her husband.
Tamayo, who spent much of his life either looking at or in the water, was described as having a passion for God, surfing, people and his work.
“He was a very loving man and had time for everyone,” Emilia said. “He loved going to work and saving lives.”
He said he and Tamayo met 25 years ago at Pipeline, and their lives revolved around surfing – checking the swells, joking about who was having fun and who was catching the better waves.
“It was just so beautiful and amazing. The place surrounded us. It was our thing.”
Being so close to the ocean and familiar with it, they knew the risks, she said.
“As surfers, we take risks and we have to be aware of that when we go into the arena, but we never expected it to happen to the person we love most. It’s just a tragedy. It’s so tragic.”
Asked if she would return to the water, she replied: “I have to go back, because he’ll be mad if I don’t.”
Perry died on Sunday after being bitten multiple times by a shark while paddling with others to Malaekahana (also known as Goat Island) to surf. GoFundMe It was established to support his family.
“His love. His love for other people and everyone around him that he touched. He touched everybody. He was a really good person. He was a really good person.”