Ralph Boisa’s family and loved ones were gathered to spread his daughter’s ashes when the boat capsized
NEED TO KNOW
- A memorial service in the San Francisco Bay turned tragic when a boat carrying family and friends capsized on July 14, leaving one dead and three missing
- The Coast Guard suspended the search for the missing the following day; the one confirmed casualty was identified as 79-year-old Clifford Joseph Boisa
- Ralph Boisa, Clifford’s brother, has spoken out about the incident, describing it as “a terrible, terrible accident”
A man is speaking out after a pontoon boat carrying a group of his family and friends capsized in the San Francisco Bay, leaving his brother dead and three loved ones missing.
On Tuesday, July 14, the three-deck, 50-foot cabin cruiser carrying 20 people sank between the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island at around 3:35 p.m. local time, San Francisco Fire Lieutenant Mariano Elias confirmed to PEOPLE.
The deceased was identified as Clifford Joseph Boisa, 79, by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, per CBS News. Clifford’s sister Carol, his wife, Jackie, and a family friend remain missing, the Associated Press reported.
Clifford’s brother Ralph Boisa opened up about the incident, which he was unable to attend. Speaking to KRON-TV and the AP, he shared that the group was gathered to spread his daughter’s ashes in a memorial service after she died in 2016.
“This was a terrible, terrible accident, and it’s just a horrible thing to have to reckon with at this point,” Ralph told KRON-TV.
Ralph told KRON that his oldest daughter was there to represent the family.
“My oldest daughter, who was on the boat with her family, called me and was pretty distraught,” he shared, recalling the phone call he received fro her in the aftermath. “She and her husband and three sons managed to get off the boat safely.”
Credit: Heather Diehl/Getty
Ralph described his brother to the outlet as being “very outgoing, community-minded,” noting that he was gearing up to celebrate his 80th birthday in September.
Reflecting on those who remain missing, he told KRON, “There’s always hope, but I know it’s pretty cold, and in my mind it’s very unlikely that they’re going to find them alive.”
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The Coast Guard suspended the search for the three missing passengers on Wednesday, July 15, according to the AP and CBS.
“Suspending a search is one of the hardest parts of our job and our condolences are with the families of all involved,” U.S. Coast Guard Captain Jared S. Toczko said in a statement shared with the AP.
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