Memorial swim, Frisbee game and paddle out held for Oxnard Marine Patrick Vega

Spring break was marked by memorial events for an Oxnard Marine who died during boot camp in San Diego.

Swimmers swam 21 X 100 yards on the Friday morning before Easter at Oxnard High School in memory of Oxnard High grad and swim instructor Patrick Vega who died during his Marine Corps boot camp training in San Diego.

The Marine Corps Recruit Deport said 21-year-old Private Patrick Armando Vega was pronounced dead just before noon on Sunday, March 25.

A drill instructor found Vega unresponsive in his bed and conducted CPR.

Vega was then taken to the Naval Medical Center where he later died.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Pvt. Vega during this difficult time,” said Brig. Gen. William Jurney, the commanding general of MCRD San Diego and the Western Recruiting Region.

MCRD is looking into the death and the Navy Medical Center is conducting a medical review.

Vega is survived by a large extended family and a younger sister named Kate who is a senior and captain of the swim team at Oxnard High.

His mother Amy Vega teaches water aerobics at the pool and told the swimmers to put down there cell phones and tablets as often as possible to enjoy friends and family.

She said Patrick always hugged and kissed her good night.

The family started a scholarship fund to help children learn to swim.

“The money will go to swim lessons for kids who can’t afford it.” said Sheri Neely of Channel Islands Aquatics.

“Patrick was one of our most requested instructors for swim lessons, he would get up in the morning early and have his private lessons and then he would come back in the afternoon and teach swim lessons,” said Neely.

Donations may be made to http://channelislandsaquatics.com

Patrick’s father Manny Vega is a former Marine and Oxnard Police officer who took on the Catholic church over priest abuse and won.

Manny Vega said it appears his son died of a massive heart attack.

It was the younger Vega’s dream to follow in his father’s footsteps as a Marine.

The memorial swim was followed by a Frisbee match and paddle out at sunset on the last day of March at Silver Strand Beach near Oxnard.

The surfers made a circular formation, splashed, threw flowers in the surf.

Although Private Vega didn’t complete basic training he was declared a Marine upon his death.

Vega’s service will be held at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura on Sunday, April, 8.