VILANO BEACH, Fla. — The Jewish Community Alliance is hosting a community gathering 3 p.m. Sunday to honor the life of Eiffel Gilyana, a loved member of the community who was separated from a group he was canoeing with Saturday. He was found dead on Tuesday.
He was found after four days of searching after he was separated from a group of canoeists Saturday morning and disappeared. Gilyana’s canoe was recovered from the water on Saturday without him anywhere in sight.
The Coast Guard searched 350 square miles on Saturday and Sunday, ultimately suspending its search at sunset on Christmas Eve, but more than 70 people continued searching on Tuesday.
Jewish Community Alliance CEO Adam Chaskin called Gilyana a loved member of the community. Remembrances on social media recalled Gilyana’s work in Iraq as an interpreter and his positive attitude working for JCA.
“Eiffel wasn’t just the fitness and wellness director at the JCA. He wasn’t just a personal trainer,” Chaskin said. “He became part of people’s families and people became part of his family. He just has such a warm heart and so many people connected so easily, and so well with him over the years.”
Check out ways to donate and help Gilyana’s family here.
