Andrew Wasil, 39, was visiting India for the wedding in February when he got sick, family said
Credit: GoFundMe
NEED TO KNOW
- Andrew Wasil, who fell ill while attending his brother’s wedding in India in February, died surrounded by family on June 19
- His family raised over $220,000 through GoFundMe to bring him home for medical treatment
- Andrew was remembered for his kindness, love of sports, passion for traveling and connecting with friends
A man who fell ill while attending his brother’s wedding overseas has died.
Andrew Wasil, 39, of Braintree, Mass., traveled to India in February to serve as best man in the wedding outside Mumbai, WHDH and ABC affiliate WCVB previously reported.
Erica Vinton, Andrew’s sister, said via GoFundMe that her brother “became suddenly and severely ill” with what she described as “a dangerous strep infection” the day after the wedding. He eventually went into “septic shock.”
After having his legs amputated below his knees, Andrew returned to Boston for continued medical treatment in late April, Vinton said in an update.
Andrew died at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on June 19 “after a brief illness,” according to his obituary. He was “surrounded by his loving family” at the time of his death.
Andrew was a grocery manager for the Stop & Shop Supermarket Company, beginning his work there in 2002, according to his obituary. He graduated from Braintree High School in 2005 and later attended Massasoit Community College.
Andrew enjoyed traveling and “loved connecting and spending time with his loyal friends,” the obituary said. He also loved sports as well as visiting local breweries and restaurants.
Doctors amputated both of Andrew’s legs in order to save his life, Vinton said via GoFundMe.
Suzanne Wasil, Andrew’s mother, told WHDH the strep virus “went into his lungs,” adding that doctors also found “traces of the common cold and the flu” through a blood test.
Andrew received “extensive treatment” in an intensive care unit in India for more than six weeks, Vinton said. He eventually became medically stable, and returned to the United States for treatment.
More than $220,000 was raised through the GoFundMe for Andrew, which aimed to help pay for an air ambulance to bring him home.
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Suzanne previously told WHDH that the support her son received in the weeks following his sudden illness “touches our family.”
“We have no words except thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” she said. “He’s loyal and kind and generous, and his nieces and nephew love him to pieces.”
A funeral for Andrew was held on June 26, according to his obituary.
Family did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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