Boating Tragedy Hits Close to Home

A Chain of Lakes boating accident hit close to home Saturday. The 10-year-old victim is the nephew of West Deerfield Township Supervisor Julie Morrison.

According to the Chicago Tribune, 10-year-old Tony Borcia of Libertyville fell off of an inner tube and was then struck by a boat. The incident happened on Petite Lake, which is off of Route 59, around 4:40 p.m. the Chicago Tribune reports. 

For Morrison, this was deeply personal. "On Saturday afternoon, my family lost our 10 year old nephew, Tony Borcia, in a boating accident,” just after midnight today.

“I would ask that you please respect the privacy of my family and I during this difficult time. My family and I appreciate your thoughts and prayers.  Remember, life is short so reach out to the ones you love."

A  student in Lobertyville, Borcia who was described as a "happy boy" who was expected to "be a leader in the school" was killed July 28 when he was apparently hit by a boat while tubing in Lake Villa.

"The entire  community is mourning the loss of Butterfield fifth-grader Antonio 'Tony' Borcia, who died July 28 when he was struck by a boat while tubing on Petite Lake in the Chain O'Lakes," the district said in a statement Sunday.

"My heart goes out to the Borcia family as we, as a community, cope with the painful loss of one of our students," said Superintendent Guy Shumacher. "Tony will always be remembered as a bright, happy boy who loved going to school, spoke proudly of his siblings, and showed a genuine love for his family and friends. He will always be thought of as a student of whom to be proud, and a caring and endearing member of our school community."

Butterfield School Principal Candice Kehoe added that "Tony was well-liked by the students and loved by the staff. Entering fifth grade, Tony was to be a leader in the school. Butterfield's family has experienced a great loss. We will miss Tony and the positive impact he made among his peers and the school community."

Schumacher said in the prepared statement that counselors will be available this week to help both students and parents. The district is now locating social workers who are off for the summer and asking them to be available for grief counseling later this week.

Schumacher also wrote a letter to parents and community members on the District 70 website. In it, he states: "My heartfelt sympathy goes out to family and friends, as well as our entire school community during this extremely sad time."