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USF grad remembered as a true friend at memorial

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The body of Aly Zain Lakdawala was found on Costa Rican beach not far from where he was caught in a riptide.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 28, 2009

TAMPA - Aly Zain Lakdawala had a gregarious personality that drew others to him, those who remembered him say.

Once you became his friend, it was a connection that was meant to last.

"He's a person you wanted to remain in your life forever," said Raffaele Macri, a friend.

More than 150 people gathered Wednesday night for Lakdawala's memorial service at the University of South Florida's Marshall Student Center.

Lakdawala, 21, went missing May 16 after he and three USF students swam in waters off western Costa Rica. Lakdawala, a recent USF graduate, and 13 students were there doing volunteer work for a university sponsored program. He was caught in a riptide; his body was found two days later.

Macri, who was Lakdawala's roommate on the alternative spring break trip, said he was trying to smile more than cry at Wednesday's memorial ceremony.

"It was more of a celebration than a mourning," he said.

Lilleth Bailey, who worked with Lakdawala in a USF volunteer group, said she wished she had more time to get to know him.

"I learned that life is really short," Bailey said. "You really need to live it for other people. And that's what he did."

A staff report

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