SOME NAMES IDENTIFIED
Authorities were not releasing the names of the nine people killed in Tuesday’s Akron plane crash until they could positively identify them, but family members and others were slowly coming forward with their own announcements. Here is what other sources are reporting about six of the victims, all of whom worked for Pebb Enterprises in Boca Raton, Fla.:
• Diane Smoot, 50, of Delray Beach.
Smoot was an executive with the real estate firm. She was the mother of two adult children, one of whom is serving in the military.
“She was very excited because it was the first trip that she’d ever made with the executives,” Smoot’s sister, Jeannie Ferraia, told reporters.
• Thomas Virgin of Boca Raton.
Loved ones were sharing condolences with his wife, Andrea Ramudo Virgin, on her Facebook page. Andrea shared photos of her with her husband, one with a caption that said: “I miss you. What I would give to have you back.”
Thomas Virgin was responsible for the oversight and management of Pebb’s construction efforts for all development, redevelopment and major capital projects, according to the Pebb website. He went by the nickname “TJ.”
• Diana Suriel.
An online fundraising campaign was launched for Suriel’s family. She was married to Joel and had a 1-year-old daughter, Gianna. More than $4,000 had been raised by Wednesday afternoon.
At 7:46 a.m. Tuesday, she posted a photo of the breakfast she had at Cincinnatian Hotel, saying: “A Fantastic Panini to start the day.”
Pebb’s website identified her as the company’s project manager assistant.
• Gary Shapiro.
A memorial and fundraising site was set up by one of his relatives. A post said he died in the crash, and that he is survived by his wife, Corey, and daughters Sammie, 3, and Abigail, 2 months.
On a friend’s Facebook wall, a poster said, “He was definitely a fun person to be around. He always kept me laughing.”
Shapiro is described on the company’s website as director of leasing.
• Jared Weiner of Boca Raton.
One of the principals of the company, his wife Amanda’s Facebook page filled with condolence messages after the crash. The two had a young son and daughter.
Weiner was the son of the company’s co-founder. He was in charge of Pebb’s development and growth activities, construction, re-development projects and leasing.
• Ori Rom.
West Boca News reported he was aboard the plane. He was a managing principal of Pebb and married to Laurel Weiner, sister of Jared Weiner and daughter of the company co-founder.