Family of California cruise passenger who jumped to his death break their silence with heartbreaking post

The family of the California man who went overboard from a Carnival Cruise ship last month has revealed his widow is facing “legal and administrative hurdles” as she raises their three young sons while grieving his sudden death.Thomas Gigler, 56, was on an anniversary trip with his wife, Michelle, 48, when he is believed to have jumped off the Carnival Panorama as it sailed from Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, toward Long Beach on Sept.20.Gigler, a father of three from Redlands, is presumed dead.

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By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.Never miss a story In a GoFundMe post, Gigler’s family described the longtime Esri employee as a beloved husband, father, friend and neighbor whose death was “sudden and completely unexpected.”“His loss was sudden and completely unexpected and he was so loved,” the sister, Wendy Gigler, wrote on behalf of the Gigler family.The family said Thomas was known for his generosity and easygoing nature, describing him as someone who “didn’t sweat the small stuff” and never judged others.He was also “always up for a healthy debate,” the family said, adding that he was “genuinely curious to hear others’ views of the world.”Now, Michelle Gigler is left to raise their three boys without her husband.“Michelle is now raising three boys on her own,” the family wrote.The fundraising appeal said she is simultaneously dealing with the emotional toll of losing her husband while confronting memorial expenses, legal and administrative hurdles, and the loss of Thomas’ income.As of Monday morning, the crowdfunding campaign had raised just under $8,500 toward its $35,000 goal.The family said the financial strain is particularly difficult because paperwork needed for Michelle Gigler to access insurance and retirement funds could take months to pr...