Courtesy of Bill Schilling(LAHAINA, Hawaii) The family of a kind-hearted Maui resident known as "Uncle Joe" believes the 67-year-old died trying to help his elderly neighbors, as the flames from Hawaii s deadliest wildfire engulfed historic Lahaina.
Missing since Aug. 8, Joe Schilling was last seen at his residence in the Hale Mahaolu Eono senior housing site in downtown Lahaina.
Piecing together his final communications that day with accounts from friends who interacted with him, his family believes that while Schilling had ample time to escape his residence, he chose to stay at his apartment complex to help his neighbors who were otherwise unable to escape the fire.
“We are trapped, can t see a thing, plus when u try to breath it burns ur lungs,” Schilling sent to a friend at 3:51 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time (HST) on Tuesday while he sheltered with five of his elderly neighbors, according to the text messages reviewed by ABC News.
A longtime resident of Maui, Schill
(3rd UPDATE) The magnitude of the fire combined with the logistical challenges of recovery take a toll on many of Lahaina's 13,000 year-round residents, who are also facing the prospect of precious tourist dollars evaporating
(Reuters) -Donna Gomes, 71, lived her entire life in Lahaina, where friends knew her as "the bull" for her strong-willed nature. Joseph Schilling, 66, enjoyed hunting for bullet shells and was known by his loved ones for making delicious sugar toast.
Helping others up to the very end : Family believes missing Lahaina man likely died trying to help neighbors go.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from go.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Helping others up to the very end : Family believes missing Lahaina man likely died trying to help neighbors kbnwnews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from kbnwnews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.