Man who died in fall during Hurricane Irma had recently moved to Marathon, daughter says

Family raises money to transport body back to Mississippi

MARATHON, Fla. – A 58-year-old man who died after falling during Hurricane Irma had recently moved to Marathon, his daughter told Local 10 News on Tuesday.

Amanda Troescher identified her father as Gary Troescher, who was airlifed to Jackson Memorial Hospital last week after he had taken a fall during the storm.

Recommended Videos



Amanda Troescher said her father's right leg was four times its normal size when he was taken to the hospital, and his left leg was three times its normal size.

According to the victim's daughter, Gary Troescher stopped breathing three times at the hospital and was on oxygen.

Amanda Troescher said her father died on Thursday.

"The doctor had no idea he had family, so I'm assuming he was unconscious when he arrived, and on the third time (that) his heart stopped, they could not revive him," Amanda Troescher said.

Gary Troescher is survived by two daughters, Amanda and Greta, and his wife of 28 years, Dara Moskau Troescher. 

Gary Troescher also had four grandchildren: Sophia Linn Treacherous, 3, Grayson James Savoie, 1, Darryl Victor Hickman III, 1, and 6-week-old Axel Dealus Hickman.

Gary Troescher's family remembers him as a "good man with a huge heart," who was also very funny.

Amanda Troescher said her father moved to Marathon Sept. 1 with a lifelong friend, Shane Brunner, to "start a new life with a new and better future in mind."

She said her family asked her father to evacuate before the storm, but he chose to stay home. 

They have created a GoFundMe page to help transport his body back to Mississippi and to pay for funeral and burial costs.

Further details about the fall were not immediately released by authorities. 


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.