2016 Ommy Irizarry

OMMY IRIZARRY

Tissue and Cornea Donor

Age 36 ~ Ft. Stewart, GA

Donated on 07/28/2014

at Venice Regional Medical Center

Honored by lifelinkfound.org

God, family and love of his country were Ommy’s priorities.  He was an excellent soldier who would do anything for the ones he loved and whatever he could for complete strangers. Ommy had a magnetic personality. To know him, truly was to love him. He was extremely artistic and creative, qualities he passed down to his daughter, Oci. Everything they did together was an adventure. When the time came, Ommy knew he wanted to donate his organs. His wife, Rebecca, said out of everything, it was the easiest decision to make. Ommy and his daughter, Oci, continue their adventure after life, however, with the gifts they gave, others can now begin their own adventures.

Ommy’s Story

Ommy was a once in a lifetime type of man, the type of man that put himself first by not putting himself first.  He would do anything for the ones he loved and whatever he could for complete strangers.  He was the type that still stopped on the side of the road to help people out.  He had a magnetic personality and to know him, truly was to love him.

God, family and love of his country were his priorities.  He was an excellent soldier who took his leadership role seriously.  His last duty assignment was as a member of the cadre for Fort Stewart’s Wounded Warrior Battalion. This position suited him well.  He was naturally compassionate and empathetic, and put others’ needs before his own.

Ommy was our walking encyclopedia.  The knowledge this man had was astounding.  He had a passion for anything ocean-related, but was most mesmerized by sharks.  He enjoyed scuba-diving, snorkeling, fishing, and hunting. He was extremely artistic and creative.  I called him MacGyver because he was resourceful and literally, could fix ANYTHING. He was a devoted father and husband and we were so blessed to call him ours.

It is safe to say when I made the decision to donate Ommy and Oceana’s tissue and organs, I was in a state of shock. We were on vacation for our anniversary when a plane literally fell from the air onto my family. That day and the days to follow seem like a blur, although every choice I made was informed and deliberate. A million thoughts raced through my head – conversations Ommy had with me where he would speak of what he wanted if he were to die – the memory of me hushing him repeatedly because that thought was too much for me to bear, but what came out of my mouth was simply, yes. Yes, of course. This is one hundred percent what he wanted and although my sweet angel at nine-years-old was never introduced to the idea of organ and tissue donation, it is what she wanted as well. Through this entire experience, this was the easiest decision to make.