Fund Created To Benefit Families Of Maine Sailor, Other Six Victims Of Sunken Fishing Boat
Three weeks after a Maine fisherman and six of his fellow crew members died when their boat went down, searchers see little hope of salvaging the vessel.
The victims of the Lily Jean sinking off Gloucester, Massachusetts included Freeman Short of Presque Isle.
Short, 31, a fourth-generation fisherman, was posthumously promoted to staff sergeant in the Maine Army National Guard after the tragic accident.
The body of only one of the seven crew members, Aurusio “Gus” Sanfalippo, the captain of the 72-foot vessel, was found at sea.
Whether the bodies of the remaining six victims are still with the boat is unknown.
Officials announced Wednesday that a fund has been set up to provide direct assistance to the families.
“In the wake of this tragedy, there have been overwhelming expressions of support for the families of those who were lost, along with requests for a clear and trusted way to provide direct financial assistance,” fund organizers said.
“The Lily Jean Fund has been created for this purpose,” they added. “The fund accepts tax-deductible contributions and distributes the proceeds in equal amounts to the families of the crew.”
Funeral services for Short were held Tuesday.
