The children of a heroic South Australian father who lost his life while saving them from an ocean rift have given him a moving farewell at his funeral.
Dan Cojocea, 43, disappeared into the water at Mary Ellis Beach in Sleaford, west of Adelaide, on January 19 while on a camping holiday after rescuing six children, including his two sons and a friend’s daughter, who were in the current got caught. .
Emergency services launched an extensive four-day search for Roxby Downs’ father, with his body eventually found by his own relatives in seaweed on a nearby beach.
Letters to Mr Cojecea from his children were read out at his farewell service in Port Pirie on Friday, calling him their “beautiful angel”.
Dan Cojecea (pictured with his wife Alina) died on Mary Ellis Beach after rescuing a group of six children caught in a rip
His relatives remember him as a family man who would do anything for his children
‘I was so lucky to have you, to love you. You had a beautiful heart and soul,” one of his children said in a letter read by Mr. Cojocea’s brother.
“Losing you was like losing a piece of my heart, but I know you died a hero.
“I need one more hug, one more kiss, one more laugh and one more joke,” the letter said.
His relatives described Mr. Cojecea, who worked at the Olympic Dam mine, as a family man who enjoyed spending time with his children. Camping at Mary Ellis Beach was the second vacation they had taken alone in January.
His brother Sam said the father of two boys and two girls would have done anything to protect his children.
“I know that at that moment on the beach, he prioritized the safety of his sons and his friend’s daughter over his own,” Sam said.
“I know if he had the chance, he would have done it all over again.”
For four days a search was conducted by land, sea and air, with boats scouring the Great Southern Ocean for any sign of Mr. Cojecea.
His family said goodbye to the heroic father during an emotional service on Friday, during which roses and gum leaves were placed on his coffin
Mr Cojecea moved to Australia from Romania as a child and settled in Roxby Downs
Mr Cojecea had moved to Australia from Romania as a child and settled in Roxby Downs where he was heavily involved in the local community and sporting clubs.
He is survived by his wife Alina and their children Alice, Katrina, Eddie and Elijah.
a GoFundMe was set up to provide support to the family.
“To say we are heartbroken is an understatement…” Lidia Panait, Mr. Cojocea’s sister-in-law, wrote on the page.
‘We cannot believe that such a beautiful, kind, funny and generous person whom we call father, son, brother and uncle is no longer with us on earth.
“We find comfort in knowing that one day we will meet again in heaven,” she said.