'Go With God': Crowd Gathers To Bid Tearful Good-Bye To Boy, 12, Who Died In School Trip Rafting Accident

SAG HARBOR, NY — Mourners gathered under bright blue skies Wednesday at the Most Holy Rosary Church in Bridgehampton to say good-bye to a 12-year-old boy who died in a rafting accident while on a school trip to the Poconos last week.

The many who loved him flocked to the church wearing blue — a color reflected not only in the skies overhead but in the hue of the coffin in which sixth-grader Cesar Albarracin Guncay was laid to rest.

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A standing-only crowd in the church included scores of children and students, dressed in collared shirts and suits, khaki shorts and flower-dotted sundresses, clothes that might normally have been worn to sunny June graduations and school dances —instead, the students were dressed to attend the funeral of a classmate and friend.

Mothers wrapped their arms around their children as the service began.

Family members and mourners wiped away tears as Cesar's blue coffin was brought into the silent church, sun pouring through stained glass windows.

During the service, faith leaders spoke of the gathering as not just a time of sorrow, but a "celebration of the gift of Cesar."

In addition, they spoke of God and a young boy, gone too soon. "We pray for his soul," they said. "Pray for his family."

And, they added, "Vaya con Dios." Go with God.

The only sound as the priests spoke was the mournful, plaintive cry of an infant.

Speaking with Patch, Cesar's cousin Ashley Buestan reflected on the blue worn by so many. "It was really a color we all felt would represent him," she said.

Amidst the flowers at his funeral were drawings, pieces of artwork created by Cesar.

"He really liked soccer," Ashley said. "He was also a very creative little guy. He had paintings and drawings everywhere."

Her cousin, she added, "also loved to run. He was super, super, super fast — one of the top of his class."

In addition, Cesar had a huge heart and adored animals, she said. "He loved taking care of my dogs. Anytime we went on trips, he would be be dog sitter."

The loss, she said, is profound.

"He was like my little brother. He lived with me for seven years."

Cesar, she said, was originally from Ecuador, coming to the United States as a very small boy, about to turn seven.

Describing Cesar, she said: "He was very funny. And he was identical to his dad — everyone would say they looked like twins."

Cesar, she said, had been very excited about the rafting trip.

In Ecuador, where he was from, she said, "They don't have this type of stuff. So he loved trying new things, going on adventures. He loved amusement parks. Going on this trip, he was so excited — we were sitting in the car and ducks happened to pass in front of the car, and he said, 'We're going to be late!' He was so excited to be going."

In his short life, Cesar imbued her with forever life lessons, Buestan said. "He taught me to be adventurous, to try new things — that you lose nothing in doing it. Also, he taught me to not take a second for granted. You never know when it's going to be the last moment."

The outpouring of love from the community has been indescribable, Buestan said.

"The news spread so quickly, and was spread worldwide," she said. "Everyone knew about it, everywhere."

When they first heard about the accident, she said, her parents had gone with Cesar's to the Poconos — enveloped in grief, they wanted "to try and find him," she said.

And in those dark hours and days of sorrow, Buestan said the community rallied. "The number of people that stopped by, to drop things off and share their love and prayers — and then, yesterday at the funeral home, the amount of people that came into that room! There was no room to walk," she said.

Among those that turned out where Cesar's teachers and the school community, she said. "They're all there for him — and for us, as well," she said.

Thinking back on their shared memories, Buestan related a story that still makes her smile. "When he first came to this country there was a TikTok trend going around, a song. He was just learning English — he still had an accent — and he would often mistake this one word for a 'bad word', and sing that word, although he didn't mean to do it. One time we were sitting in the car on the way to Bridgehampton and he was singing the word over and over again. He ended up telling his friends — and his saying the word wrong, it became this big inside joke that we'd always bring up when we were together."

If she could see her beloved cousin's face one more time, speak to him again, Buestan said she knew exactly what she would say: "I would tell him that he was very loved, not just by me but by the community. And that he will always have a piece of my heart with him."

Cesar was laid to rest at Saint Andrews Cemetery, located at 1133 Brick Kiln Road in Sag Harbor.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is investigating the fatal recreational boating incident on the Lehigh River in East Penn Township in Carbon County, said Mike Parker, communications director for the PFBC.

At about 5:30 p.m. on May 27, a party of five boaters was traveling the river in an inflatable raft that was part of a larger group excursion with a guide, a statement from the PFBC said.

The raft capsized, resulting in all occupants being ejected from the raft into the river, including Cesar, who did not immediately resurface, officials said.

Search and rescue operations were conducted and the boy was later recovered and confirmed deceased, the PFBC said.

All other occupants of the raft were recovered safely, the PFBC said.

The incident remains under investigation.

Parker said he could confirm that life jackets were worn by all occupants of the raft.

As with any boating fatality investigation, a review of safety equipment will be conducted, he said.

The Carbon County Coroner's Office said the death was an accidental drowning, according to NBC News.

In a statement, the company that organized the event, Whitewater Rafting Adventures, confirmed "the tragic loss of a participant on a raft trip Wednesday, May 27."

Company owners Hilary and Steve Bretzik said: "Our entire team is heartbroken by what occurred, and our first concern is for the family and friends of our guest."

The Bretziks said that their team is still gathering information about the incident, and that they are cooperating fully with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, which is leading the investigation, along with support from the Pennsylvania State Police.

No additional information is available at this time, they said.

Sag Harbor Union Free School District Superintendent Jeff Nichols released a statement Thursday morning.

"It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we share the devastating news of the passing of our beloved sixth-grade student, Cesar Albarracin Guncay, following a rafting accident that occurred during the annual class trip to the Poconos," Nichols wrote in the statement.

The East End was wreathed in sorrow after the tragedy. A GoFundMe, "In Memory of Cesar Albarracin Guncay," was created by Huw Davies.

"On behalf of the Sag Harbor community, this GoFundMe is created to support the family of Cesar Albarracin Guncay.
Cesar — a kind, handsome and athletic 6th grader, a friend to many, and a beloved neighborhood kid here in Sag Harbor — tragically lost his life in a rafting accident in the Poconos on May 27.

"He is immediately missed by his classmates, teachers, school families and the entire community. To help his family during this impossibly hard time, please consider a donation. On behalf of everyone in this village, and across the East End of Long Island, we remember Cesar fondly, we mourn his loss deeply, and we send our love and condolences to his entire family."

The school community also mourned the unthinkable loss.

"There are no words to adequately express the depth of this loss. Cesar was a cherished member of our school family, a child who mattered deeply to all who had the privilege of knowing him. His absence will leave an irreplaceable space in our classrooms, our hallways and our lives. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to Cesar’s family and friends during this very sad time. We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers," Nichols said in the statement.

"We recognize that this news will be painful and deeply unsettling for students, families, staff, and the community. Grief can feel overwhelming, especially for young people trying to make sense of something so heartbreaking. Our school counseling staff will be available tomorrow and in the coming days to lend support," Nichols said.

The Response Crisis Center and Long Island Crisis Center both offer a 24/7 crisis hotline and chat, he added.

"This is an incredibly difficult time for our community, and it is important that we lean on one another for support and comfort. In the days and weeks ahead, students may have questions and concerns relating to death, and are going to require your support at home and our continued support here at school as they work through their feelings and grief. Although we cannot predict how any child may react, we need to be sensitive and aware, both at home and at school, of the common reactions experienced by grieving adolescents," Nichols said.

He added: ""If at any time you or your child feel the need to speak with someone, please do not hesitate to reach out to your child’s counselor or school support staff. We encourage families to keep close communication with their children, speak with them openly and compassionately, and contact the school whenever additional help is needed. Please know that you are not alone, and we are here to assist you every step of the way."

And, Nichols said: "On behalf of the entire district, we extend our deepest condolences to Cesar’s family and loved ones during this extraordinarily difficult time. We ask our community to honor Cesar’s memory and keep his family in our thoughts."

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.