![]() “Captain Kreza, on behalf of the fire family: We’ll take it from here. In the early years of firefighting, ringing a bell three times indicated a job was completed and it was time to go home. To conclude the emotional ceremony Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Chief Dan Stefano presented a folded American flag and firefighter’s helmet to Kreza’s wife and daughters and he was sent off with the traditional bell-ringing ceremony. And became a large influence in so many that knew him,” she said in tears.Īfter the crash, the outpouring of support from the public and firefighting community was swift as people shared condolences and contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars to a crowdfunding source to help his family. The driver of the car, Stephen Taylor Sarpa, 25, of Mission Viejo allegedly was found to be under the influence of a controlled substance and has been charged with murder. Kreza’s aunt Bobbie Kimball recalled the day he was born and joked that at nearly 11 pounds he seemed large next to the smaller babies in the hospital. Sunday in the hospital ward of County-USC Medical Center, where he had been held since he was arrested June 25, said Deputy Wally Bracks of the Los Angeles. ![]() The two also rode bikes alongside one another while Kreza trained for triathlons, the competitive activity that spawned his nickname: “Ironman.”Ĭathey recounted how the family cheered him on the first time he completed the Ironman competition in 2014: “He crossed the finish line with a smile on his face holding a picture of his girls in one hand and a finger to God.” “Coming to work was an unbelievable experience knowing that I got to work for my best friend,” Cathey said. I miss you so much and I always want to make you smile.”įire engineer Steve Cathey talked about having Kreza as his best friend as well as his boss. “You’re kind, loving, strong and fierce and the most important thing was that you were brave. Layla, 9, took to the podium and read her own. Daddy, you’re the best daddy in the entire world.” "He is my angel, with my mom, and he'll forever be in my heart," she said.The youngest, 7-year-old Audrey wrote: “I will miss falling asleep with you on the couch. The final result: angel wings enveloping her brother's initials. With her son and friends at her side Kreza-Diehl inked a permanent memorial to her brother and hero. "They bring in images or tell stories and they let us know the piece they want, how they want it to look, the position on their body and just go from there," Turnbow said. The tattoo artist says he often helps families with tattoos that pay tribute to lost loved ones. She turned to Dedicated Tattoos in Temecula and friend Chris Turnbow. Kreza-Diehl said she wanted a lasting memorial for her brother in the form of a tattoo. In the days that followed after his death, the community left flowers, candles and a ghost bike at the site, but almost a year later, it has faded away. ![]() "It's very difficult to know that this wonderful community leader, father, brother, uncle, husband is taken from us in a split of a second for someone else's senseless choice," Kreza-Diehl said. Michael Kreza, died last November after he was struck and killed while riding his bicycle by a driver allegedly under the influence. Her brother, Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue Cpt. ![]() (KABC) - Rachel Kreza-Diehl remembers her brother as she points to photos of him. The sister of an Orange County fire captain killed almost one year ago remembered her brother through a piece of permanent art. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |