Rising University fourth year John Steve Catilo drowned in the Potomac River Friday morning while coaching a group of novice rowers.
Catilo, who had been a member of the crew team at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, fell into the water while trying to fix a stalled motor on the boat he was coaching from, according to The Washington Post. A passing kayaker threw a flotation device toward Catilo. When Catilo did not resurface, the nine rowers he was instructing returned their boat to shore to get help.
By late Friday morning, the U.S. Coast Guard, the U.S. Park Police and the D.C. Harbor Patrol were engaged in a search for Catilo by water, shore and helicopter. At 2:45 p.m. the search was postponed due to weather and strong currents.
A fisherman found Catilo's body Sunday morning 100 yards south of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, approximately two miles south of the location where Catilo had fallen into the water Friday morning. An autopsy confirmed that the cause of Catilo's death was accidental drowning.
This was the fourth summer Catilo had returned to Alexandria to coach for the Alexandria Crew Boosters, a summer crew camp unaffiliated with T.C. Williams High School.
"He was perhaps the most giving young person I've ever been in contact with," said Debbie Wells, president of Alexandria Crew Boosters. "The fact that he spent his summer mornings teaching younger children how to row is very much in keeping with his personality. He was an excellent student, he was devoted to his family, he loved rowing and he was active in many other areas."
Others at the University share similar memories of Catilo's character and involvement. Catilo volunteered at the University Hospital, was a brother of Phi Delta Theta fraternity, was involved in the Organization of Young Filipino Americans and was to be a member of resident staff and president of Myo Sin Karate during the 2004-2005 academic year, Dean of Students Penny Rue said.
"I am deeply touched by the loss of such a vibrant member of the University community," Rue said. "I have been finding out more and more ways he touched others and contributed to the community."
A vigil was held in memory of Catilo yesterday and his funeral will take place today, both at the Queen of Apostles Catholic Church in Alexandria.
The communities affected by Catilo's loss say they will wait to begin planning memorials.
"Our complete focus this week is supporting the family however we can," Wells said. "We want to do a number of things, but we want to give the family a little time and respect their wishes."
The University will also wait to make memorial plans.
"We will wait until the fall and work with the student communities closest to John Steve to determine what kind of memorial service would be appropriate," Rue said. "We want to understand and comply with the family's wishes in those matters, as well."
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