"Nantucket Makes Me Feel Like I'm Not Alone" - Community Rallies For Family Of Man Who Died In Paddle Boarding Accident

In the week since the tragic death of Somwong "Wong" Kyomitmaitee in a paddleboarding accident last Wednesday, the island community has rallied to support the family of the beloved tradesman who was known as Nantucket's "King of Shing."

Beyond the outpouring of grief and tributes to Wong on social media, family friends launched a GoFundMe page that has already raised more than $78,000 for his funeral and memorial expenses, as well as future education expenses for his son, Justice.

On Tuesday, Wong's widow, Kob Sathitanon expressed her gratitude to the island community for the support the family has received since her husband's death.

"At first I don’t know how I can live without Wong, he did everything for us," Sathitanon told the Current. "But Nantucket makes me feel like I’m not alone. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated so far to help us during this difficult time. We are so grateful to all of you."

Kyomitmaitee was reported overdue last Wednesday at 2:58 p.m. after leaving his house in the morning to check on a boat moored in Polpis Harbor. A search by Nantucket Harbormaster Sheila Lucey's crew and Coast Guard Station Brant Point located his paddleboard in Polpis Harbor, and then recovered his body along the shoreline. Nantucket Police Department Lt. said the case had been received by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, but that it does not appear suspicious.

Sam Nipatnantaporn, who knew Wong her entire life and called him her "honorary uncle," helped set up the GoFundMe page for the family.

"We have been overwhelmed with gratitude for the Nantucket community and those from afar who have contributed to the GoFundMe to help Wong's family," Nipatnantaporn told the Current. "The money we have raised for Wong's wife and their son, Justice, is just a small testament to how loved he was and the impact that he had . The donations will make a huge difference in their lives and for Justice's higher education aspirations. Even though I was the one who set up the fund, it was a team effort by the Thai community on-island to make sure that Kob and Justice are taken care of."