‘A friend to one and all’
Masters athletics club in mourning after beach tragedy
A man who died on a Torquay beach is being remembered as a keen athlete and “friend to all” after his sad passing.
Vic Verecondi, a Torquay masters athlete, has been identified as the 60-year-old pulled from the water at Cosy Corner on Saturday.
The incident, witnessed by almost two dozen members of the public, has been described as a “horrible tragedy”.
Alan Jenkins, from the Victorian Masters Athletics Club, said Mr Verecondi was a wellliked member of the Geelongbased organisation.
“He was always a friendly face down at the club,” he said. “Always down there early and really enjoyed it.
“He was a friend to one and all really, and our condolences go out to his family.” Mr Verecondi, a Torquay local who was involved in the education sector and worked as a private tutor, studied at Deakin University and La Trobe University.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Mr Verecondi studied a Bachelor of Science (mathematics statistics) at Deakin from 1982 to 1986.
He also undertook a postgraduate diploma in physics and education at La Trobe from 1993-1994.
On Saturday three ambulance units were called to Cosy Corner about 9.45am after he was pulled unresponsive from the water.
Paramedics and members of the public performed CPR for an extended period as a large group of beachgoers watched on.
It appeared several bystanders were assisting ambulance officers in their efforts to save the person.
Several of those standing nearby were dressed in wetsuits and swimming caps and were visibly distressed. “Members of the public performed CPR on the man, but it was unsuccessful,” a police statement read.
Mr Verecondi’s cause of death is a matter for the coroner.