A young father-of-four and his beloved Pomeranian drowned in front of his family after their fishing boat capsized, officials said.
Tyler Tasche, 28, was out fishing with his grandfather and younger brother in the Mississippi River in Minnesota, on October 7 when tragedy struck.
Tasche’s grandfather Mark, 66, and younger brother Tristan, 18, were sitting in the boat as the young father was standing up running the motor.
But the boat then got too close to a waterfall, and Tasche tried to push it around with a board that was too short for the task.
That’s when everyone aboard, including Bonnie the Pomeranian, was tossed into the water.
Mark shared with People that he was the sole person wearing a life jacket during the incident, and he barely managed to reach the shore, struggling with water in his lungs as he swam.
Tyler Tasche, 28, and his Pomeranian Bonnie drowned after their boat capsized
Tasche is survived by his widow Gaby, 30, and their four children: Ariel, 10, Sophia, 9, Sebastian (pictured), 7 and Serenity, 5
When Tristan managed to flip the aluminum boat upright, he could not find his older brother.
‘I will always remember the moment when [Tristan] called for help to flip the boat, fearing his brother might be trapped underneath,’ Mark recounted to People about the terrifying experience.
‘But Tyler wasn’t there. He was gone.’
Tristan asked two fishermen for help and they called 911.
But it was too late for Tasche, who was found unresponsive in the water by responding officials.
First responders attempted life-saving measures after taking him to shore but he was later declared dead.
His dog Bonnie also died in the water, per authorities.
Tasche is survived by his widow Gaby, 30, and their four children: Ariel, 10, Sophia, 9, Sebastian, 7 and Serenity, 5.
Tasche’s wife, Gaby, expressed on Facebook: ‘The unexpected loss of my husband and the children’s father has left me heartbroken. Imagining life without him is daunting, as he was our pillar of strength.
‘His death has left an irreplaceable emptiness in our lives. It feels like a part of me vanished with Tyler. I am deeply grateful for everyone’s comforting words and gestures. Your thoughtfulness, alongside the donations, means everything to me. Since Tyler was a stay-at-home dad for our child with severe autism, I’m uncertain about when I’ll be able to return to work.’
Tasche’s widow said he was the one who stayed home and took care of the children, including their autistic daughter, while she went to work
Tasche is pictured with his widow Gaby, 30. They had been together for 10 years
Tasche’s family has created a GoFundMe page, with Gaby explaining that he was the one at home caring for the kids, including their autistic daughter, while she worked.
Thank you again for your support during this difficult time.
‘Tyler was a devoted father, my sister’s rock,’ wrote Maryann Gonzalez.
‘He was a remarkable father and friend to everyone. Whether you knew Tyler well or met him just once, he likely left a memorable impression.’
