East Rockaway native lost at sea

A candelight vigil is being planned in East Rockaway for one of its own. Howard Schoenly, an East Rockaway High School graduate, was one of the men whose ship sank Thursday close to the Bahamas during Hurricane Joaquin. He was 50.

The U.S. Coast Guard is still uncovering more of the wreckage from El Faro, a United States cargo ship. Schoenly, of Cape Coral, FLA., was the second engineer in charge.

The vigil, organization by Emily Humes and Michaelene Abbott-Cooper, will take place in East Rockaway on Schoenly's birthday, this Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at the waterfront area at the end of Main Street. The Schoenly family moved out of East Rockaway in the 1980s.

"Thank you for all the kind wishes and prayers," said his brother, Steven, on Facebook. "I am still in Florida with Karen, Howies wife, but both our families will be there ... we love you Howie."

The ship is thought to have sunk 15,000 down after its position was document.