Miami Beach City Commission Unanimously Approves Dedicating Baseball Field After Surfside Condo Collapse Victim Manny LaFont

2 years ago 190

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Out of months of acheronian pursuing the Surfside gathering illness comes a time of overmuch needed light.

“Today, I had thing wrong of maine that told maine OK, contiguous is truly a solemnisation day,” said Adriana LaFont.

READ MORE: Parkland Parent Max Schachter Donates $25,000 To Marjory Stoneman Douglas Orchestra To ‘Keep Alex's Memory Alive’

Adriana’s ex-husband Manny Lafont, 54, was 1 of the 98 radical killed successful the Champlain Towers condo collapse. Community members person rallied astir her and her children, including efforts to dedicate the shot fields astatine North Shore Park to Lafont.

Manny was a beloved shot coach. His 10-year-old lad Santi was 1 of his players.

“I deliberation of blessed memories,” said Santi, who inactive plays connected that field. “I archer my friends my dada taught maine this and this.”

Manny and his lad Santi. (Courtesy of the LaFont Family)

At Wednesday’s metropolis of Miami Beach committee meeting, each voted unanimously to determination guardant with the dedication.

Commissioner Michael Gongora sponsored the efforts.

“Anyone with a bosom couldn’t ballot against this,” said Gongora.

The past clip Santi and his 13-year-old sister Mia spoke publically astir the field, some were visibly emotional, moving galore successful the enclosure to tears.

READ MORE: Miami Beach Hospitality Workers March To City Hall Demanding Last Call Isn’t Moved Up

“I thought that cipher would cognize who my dada was and I felt his nonaccomplishment meant thing to cipher and that was portion of my grieving,” explained Mia. “Now, knowing that they are honoring him, taking clip retired of their time to bash a full ceremony. That conscionable means radical bash care.”

Manny and his girl Mia. (Courtesy of the LaFont Family)

For the LaFont family, it’s their tract of memories. In immoderate ways, it fills a void.

“We couldn’t hide Manny present successful Miami due to the fact that his hometown is Houston, Texas,” said Adriana. “With the park, with the field, we consciousness we person a spot that belongs to him.”

“Hopefully erstwhile I turn up, my kids volition play there,” added Santi.

The LaFonts said if Manny were here, helium would beryllium speechless and apt crying.

“He was precise emotional,” laughed Mia.

Those who didn’t cognize Manny soon volition if they ever measurement connected the field.

“There’s going to beryllium thing that reminds radical without america having to say,” said Mia. “Thank you to everybody who signed the petition, made this noticeable. This wouldn’t person happened without you. Thank you.”

MORE NEWS: Florida COVID-19 Hospitalizations Dip Below 2,300

A plaque has been ordered with Manny’s sanction and a connection sharing his story. It volition beryllium placed connected the batting cages successful a dedication ceremonial scheduled for a aboriginal time.

Frances Wang

Frances Wang anchors the play evening newscasts and reports weeknights. She joined the CBS4 squad successful December of 2018.More from Frances Wang

Read Entire Article