A moment of silence will be conducted for Frederick Fernandez, 55, a math teacher and father of three, who was killed Saturday after being thrown from his surfboard and apparently falling head-first into the sand off New Smyrna Beach. Two of his children attend New Smyrna Beach High School.Other surfers witnessed his fall, and one of his students pulled him out of the water."He was catching waves and riding out the curls. That's what he lived for," said Bill Withers, a friend of Fernandez."God said, 'You know, you've done a wonderful job here on Earth. I'm going to give you a reward right in the middle of the perfect wave,'" Joyce Withers said.Students, who referred to Fernandez as Feeko, said he was a mentor, athlete and friend."The kids just loved him," Bill Withers said. "I don't really think he'd want them to grieve as to celebrate his life."Hurricane Irene is responsible for more at least 24 deaths in the East, according to officials.In Flagler County, 55-year-old tourist James Palmer, of New Jersey, died Saturday in rough surf. Family members said they lost sight of him after he waded into the surf. He was pulled to shore and his wife attempted CPR, but he was pronounced dead at the hospital./>
