A man, who was living in the Rustic Cabins on South Broadway, drowned in the waters of Lake Orion on June 12.
William ‘Bill? Duffy, 53, was pronounced dead at Pontiac Hospital at 4:27 p.m. The 911 call came into Lake Orion’s Police Dispatch office at 3:35 p.m.
According to LO Police Chief Jerry Narsh, the call indicated a person was in the water and unresponsive near the cabins.
‘When officers arrived, people were in a boat, trying to hold onto him and keep him above water,? Narsh said. ‘It’s my understanding he was snorkeling in full snorkel gear throughout the afternoon about 20-30 feet from shore.?
Nearby residents told police they had been watching Duffy off and on and became concerned, because of the timeframe, when they no longer saw him.
According to Narsh, the manager of the cabins, Fred Lizyness, got the assistance of other residents and started looking for Duffy in the water where he had last been seen. He was spotted below the surface in 10-15 feet of water.
Duffy was pulled from the water and CPR was initiated before an emergency unit took him to the hospital.
Narsh is waiting for additional information from the medical examiner’s office.
‘I don’t believe alcohol was a factor,? he said. ‘After talking to witnesses, they said he looked like he was enjoying himself; it was his second or third trip out (for the day). It appears to be an unfortunate accident.?
Sergeant Dan Toth of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department Marine Division warned that the average drowning only takes about 30 seconds to happen.
‘Contrary to popular belief, a drowning victim will not cry out for help or wave their arms,? he said. ‘We want to remind everyone, especially with children and lakefront residents, to keep a sharp eye.
‘Pay special attention to people in the water,? Toth advised. ‘A lot of times, if they are drowning, you’ll see it in their eyes and face (rather than them crying for help).?
According to Lizyness, Duffy, originally from Caseville, had lived at the cabins for over a year and had lived there once before. ‘He was well liked around here,? he added.
Duffy’s son Peter had spent some of the day with his father fishing, but had left before the accident.
According to Lizyness, Duffy, at the time of the incident, had been looking for an ice spud that had dropped into the water during the winter. He said the area where Duffy was found was very weedy.
Duffy was a facilities manager for Honey Baked Ham. He was an Air Force veteran and a professional scuba diver.
Family will receive friends at the Champagne Funeral Home in Caseville from 1-9 p.m. on Wednesday and from 9 a.m until 11 a.m. at St. John’s Church in Davison. A funeral mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Burial is in Caseville.