A beloved golf course employee died after being swarmed by bees in Arizona.
According to USA Today, CBS News, and local affiliate KOLD-TV, Rick Messina, an employee of El Conquistador Golf in Oro Valley, was mowing an area near the Pusch Ridge Course on the morning of Monday, June 24, when he was stung by a swarm of bees.
The 57-year-old, who had been a part of El Conquistador Golf’s agronomy team since July 2022, was taken to a local hospital, where he died on Thursday, June 27.
USA Today reported that after the incident, beekeepers inspected the 45 golf holes on the property and “found no hives nor bee activity and gave the property the all clear.”
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“It appears Rick was attacked by a traveling swarm of bees,” said El Conquistador Golf in a statement obtained by the news organization. PEOPLE has reached out to El Conquistador Golf and the Oro Valley Police Department for comment.
According to CBS News and KOLD-TV, club members were informed of Messina’s death through email.
“Rick was a dedicated and cherished member of our team, known for his exceptional work ethic, positive attitude, and unwavering commitment to his duties. His sudden passing is a profound loss to our work family and our community. He will be deeply missed by all,” a statement on the email read, per the outlets.
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Anna Bifano, vice president of Friends of Pusch Ridge Golf, Messina, opened up to KOLD-TV about Messina’s passion for beautifying the golf course and revealed that he was working on completing a serenity garden in the area prior to his death.
“It was a combo of his ingenuity and just kind of take-charge attitude. Cause he would see things that needed to be done, and no one had to tell him what to do,” she told the outlet. Bifano said he organization would work on completing the garden in his honor.
The group has also created a GoFundMe to help support Messina’s parents after his death.
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“Rick shared a home in Tucson with his elderly parents – John and Marlene Messina. They will undoubtedly have expenses to deal with during a tough time,” the campaign explains.
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The fundraiser adds that “the players, local homeowners, and his El Conquistador Golf team members appreciated Rick’s hard work, infectious smile and signature Boston accent.”
