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38-foot boat crushes Wellington man
Click-2-Listen
By ALLYSON BIRD
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Thursday, August 23, 2007
PALM BEACH GARDENS — A retired Wellington couple was just moments from setting sail on a Bahamas vacation Wednesday morning when the husband was crushed by the boat meant to take them there.
A boater from the next slip over at the Soverel Harbour Marina tried to perform CPR on 60-year-old Thomas Lakomia. Paramedics took him to Palm Beach Gardens Medical Center, where he was declared dead shortly after the 7:30 a.m. incident.
Lakomia had been in the water behind his 38-foot Carver cabin cruiser when it pinned him between the dive platform and the seawall, said Dani Moschella, spokeswoman for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. The boat's engine was running and Lakomia's wife, Lynne, was on board.
Lakomia's death is being investigated but is being treated as an accident, Moschella said. FWC officials have yet to determine why he was behind the boat. The medical examiner's office will do an autopsy.
"We were all set to leave, and I don't know why he did what he did," Lynne Lakomia said Wednesday afternoon. She described her husband as "the most wonderful man."
He was always willing to help others and even cleaned up neighbors' trash without complaint, she said.
The couple met in San Antonio in the Army. Lynne is a retired a colonel and Thomas a retired a lieutenant colonel, with a Purple Heart from Vietnam.
They settled in Wellington three years ago, she said, and bought their boat, Jenlyndy-Tu, around the same time. Thomas kept busy, getting a captain's license and running a small boat surveying business, his wife said.
He recently joined the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and had an assignment to clean weapons next week. The couple has three grown sons and four small grandchildren.
Lynne said she began collecting Royal Doulton figurines and character jugs as a child and that Thomas picked up her hobby and bought most of the pieces in their collection.
He might have been in a hurry Wednesday morning, she said. Usually when they went on a trip, Lynne said, she untied the ropes from the back of the boat where Thomas died.
__________________
"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"
1974 Hatteras 58TC "Freebird", 1965 Hatteras 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info
I don't know, there was speculation it could have been CO poisoning with the gas engines, but you have to wonder how the boat came back with enough force to crush him if CO had anything to do with it.
I'd sure hate to speculate on anything sinister, but I sure do hope his wife didn't accidentaly do him in. That would be a tough one to live with. I checked that same website today and there were no updates. No doubt an autopsy will be performed and maybe shed some light on this tragedy.
__________________
"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"
1974 Hatteras 58TC "Freebird", 1965 Hatteras 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info
He was always willing to help others and even cleaned up neighbors' trash without complaint, she said.
Obviously he was complaining to someone (wife) or this statement would never have made it into the story.
Or she could have just noticed he would do things like that.
Of all of the things this “most wonderful man” could be remembered for, picking up someone else’s garbage without complaint is the only wonderful thing she remembers about him?!?
He was always willing to help others and even cleaned up neighbors' trash without complaint, she said.
Obviously he was complaining to someone (wife) or this statement would never have made it into the story.
Or she could have just noticed he would do things like that.
Of all of the things this “most wonderful man” could be remembered for, picking up someone else’s garbage without complaint is the only wonderful thing she remembers about him?!?
Damm eyeball, get a grip. The woman just witnessed the death of her husband and who knows if she contributed to it accidentally?
They're leaving the marina for a trip to the Bahamas and next thing she knows, he's dead! I'm thinking I'd be doing well to put two words together after something like that happened.
__________________
"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"
1974 Hatteras 58TC "Freebird", 1965 Hatteras 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info
He was always willing to help others and even cleaned up neighbors' trash without complaint, she said.
Obviously he was complaining to someone (wife) or this statement would never have made it into the story.
Or she could have just noticed he would do things like that.
Of all of the things this “most wonderful man” could be remembered for, picking up someone else’s garbage without complaint is the only wonderful thing she remembers about him?!?
Damm eyeball, get a grip. The woman just witnessed the death of her husband and who knows if she contributed to it accidentally?
They're leaving the marina for a trip to the Bahamas and next thing she knows, he's dead! I'm thinking I'd be doing well to put two words together after something like that happened.
If you just witness the death of someone you loved, would picked up someone else’s garbage without complaining be the only thing you can remember about them?
They have 3 sons and 4 grandchildren…and she can only recall him, “the most wonderful man”, as someone that picks up someone else’s garbage without complaining?!? Nothing about being a great husband, dad, a granddad, whatever…just him picking up garbage without complaining.
He was always willing to help others and even cleaned up neighbors' trash without complaint, she said.
Obviously he was complaining to someone (wife) or this statement would never have made it into the story.
Or she could have just noticed he would do things like that.
Of all of the things this “most wonderful man” could be remembered for, picking up someone else’s garbage without complaint is the only wonderful thing she remembers about him?!?
Damm eyeball, get a grip. The woman just witnessed the death of her husband and who knows if she contributed to it accidentally?
They're leaving the marina for a trip to the Bahamas and next thing she knows, he's dead! I'm thinking I'd be doing well to put two words together after something like that happened.
If you just witness the death of someone you loved, would picked up someone else’s garbage without complaining be the only thing you can remember about them?
They have 3 sons and 4 grandchildren…and she can only recall him, “the most wonderful man”, as someone that picks up someone else’s garbage without complaining?!? Nothing about being a great husband, dad, a granddad, whatever…just him picking up garbage without complaining.
Go back and re-read the article.
I think I've read enough, thanks though. Tell those nice men in the white coats that Freebird says hey.
__________________
"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"
1974 Hatteras 58TC "Freebird", 1965 Hatteras 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info
I guess there are just too many odd circumstances. Odd fact #1. He is in the water. Why? Ok, maybe he just slipped or had a heart attack. Odd fact #2. The boat crushes him? how/why does the boat then crush him? Wind? Current? Engine Power? Boat running, wife onboard, 7:00 AM. She says she does not know why he did what he did? What did he do? Jump in? Fall in? She says maybe he was in a hurry, which suggests that he fell. If she knows what he did or even that he got in the water at all, why was she not able to help him?
Maybe just a terrible accident, but I am having trouble imagining how it happened.
Maybe a better reporter could have made it clearer.
Yeah, the theory of CO poisoning didn't fit in with him being crushed. Hell, these folks were military people, but I guess that doesn't make them incapable of a crime.
I did a search on that guy's name trying to find out more info, and he did come up as a Purple Heart recipient back in '68 as I recall. He apparently contributed to a military website as well which also showed up his name.
Strange yes, homocide, I kinda doubt it. Maybe we'll know more tomorrow. God bless 'em though. Regardless of the circumstances, this was a sad deal.
__________________
"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"
1974 Hatteras 58TC "Freebird", 1965 Hatteras 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info
Cat
Accidents are very often impossible to explain. Logic has nothing to do with actions contributing to accidents. Been involve in a few, witnessed a few, investigated some, sometimes nothing adds up.
Eyeball
Hate to say it, but TN might be right. Lost some one myself a few years ago to an automobile accident. At the time all I could think of is why. It was over the next several days, weeks and months that I remembered the good stuff.
__________________ Cape Horn 17, Yamaha F115
with
Elmo the Boat Dog
twentynine, sorry it caused you pain to think I might be right about something!
Seriously guys, if she had it in for him, why would she do something in the marina in front of all those witnesses when they were just hours away from where just the two of them would be miles at sea with nobody else around?
I'm thinking it was just a tragic accident.
__________________
"If I leave here tomorrow, would you still remember me?"
1974 Hatteras 58TC "Freebird", 1965 Hatteras 41DC "Nancy Cay", For Sale - Click HERE for info
TN FREEBIRD - 8/24/2007 10:26 PM twentynine, sorry it caused you pain to think I might be right about something! Seriously guys, if she had it in for him, why would she do something in the marina in front of all those witnesses when they were just hours away from where just the two of them would be miles at sea with nobody else around? I'm thinking it was just a tragic accident.
No pain TN, like I said I remember the good stuff.
__________________ Cape Horn 17, Yamaha F115
with
Elmo the Boat Dog
He was always willing to help others and even cleaned up neighbors' trash without complaint, she said.
Obviously he was complaining to someone (wife) or this statement would never have made it into the story.
Or she could have just noticed he would do things like that.
Of all of the things this “most wonderful man” could be remembered for, picking up someone else’s garbage without complaint is the only wonderful thing she remembers about him?!?
Eyeball-
That traffic light turned red because it new you were coming. Also, I know someone is following you.
I'll put some of your questions to rest. I just returned from the funeral this afternoon. Tom was a 100 ton USCG Certified Captain. The only question currently unresolved is why Tom was in the water. They were leading a floatilla for Trio Marine customers West Palm Beach to West Bank. The accident occurred between 0630 and 0730 Wednesday. The neighbors (next slip) heard a thump (most likely swim platform striking the seawall), exited aft to discover Tom under the water.
Your research is correct, Tom Lakomia served 2 tours in Nam, awarded Silver Star with OLC, two Purple Hearts, Bronze Star with V device, etc. He will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery September 19, 2007 at 1300 with Full Military Honors.
I've known him 17 years and he will be missed... He owned a survey company (South Tropical) and some of you may recognize the company name. Additionally, Tom and Lynne worked at Freedom Marine and lead the group to Bimini. The details of the accident are remain undisclosed as of this thread.
FL Boating Death 
