‘I love him’: Father, Jacksonville Beach restaurant owner dies after pool accident on Father’s Day
After 74 days in the ICU, the owner of the Buddha Thai Bistro in Jacksonville Beach has passed away.
Sarunyu Boonsanong, also known as “Guy” suffered a traumatic brain and spinal cord injury after a pool incident on Father’s day.
“Because it’s Guy, he has prepared us and given us time to be ready,” his wife, Naphat Bukum said. “It’s still unbelievable for our family that this could happen.”
Action News Jax spoke with his wife on Saturday she said through it all their family never gave up.
“Still hoped until the last minute for me that he might just wake up,” she said.
Related: Jacksonville Beach restaurant owner on life support after pool accident on Father’s Day
During the two and half month battle that ended on Wednesday, his wife gave birth to their 3rd child. Bukum shared pictures with Action News Jax that showed they had a couple of chances to meet.
“I know that Guy could hear us no matter in what condition he was, right there he opened his eyes a couple of times,” she said.
The two were together for 10 years and he’s had the restaurant for 12. His wife says his legacy lives on through his family and bistro.
“I feel Guy’s love all around every time I come here, come to work here I see Guy everywhere,” she said.
Guy is described as someone who would always look at the bright side of situations and believed in paying it forward, which is why his family is looking to give back in his memory. A Go Fund Me has been set up to help benefit a university in Thailand that helps with research and treatment of pediatric neurology cases.
They’re calling it the “Be Like Guy Foundation.”
“When things happen when difficult times come, what would Guy do?” she said.
Bukum said their time together was the best 10 years of her life.
“I love him and I will take good care of the children, take good care of this restaurant that he loved, take good care of myself,” she said.
A celebration of Boonsanong’s life will be held on Sept. 10 and Sept. 11. It will be at 4750 Palm Valley Road in Ponte Vedra Beach from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
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