Slightly morbid photo sharing question

[MarkBarbieri]

A little less than a month ago, we rode in the front of the monorail. Our driver was named Austin Wuennenberg. I took this picture of him during our ride:

As most of you already know, Austin died in a monorail crash over the weekend. Several people have suggested that I make this picture available to his family in case they want it. From reading the news stories, it is apparent that he had a presence on Facebook. I have a Facebook account, but I never use it and know very little about it.

Does anyone have any idea on how I would make this picture available to his family and friends without being intrusive? I hope it goes without saying that I'm not looking to sell the photo. I just want, in the unlikely event that they don't have a good picture of him doing what he so obviously enjoyed, to give this one to them.

 

[jann1033]

know nothing about face book but if you can post there on his page you could just tell the family you have a photo you'd like to email them...i wouldn't post the photo there just due to sensationalism( like someone posting it elsewhere just cause disney attracts so much press) ...also if you have any idea where he is from( or his family) sometimes the local obits. where i live have a place where you can send condolences and comments to the family... you could offer the photo there. tragic circumstances, but it may be something they would want.

 

[Code]

Oh wow

Perhaps one of the Orlando newspapers that interviewed his family members would put you in contact with them.

 

[zackiedawg]

If you really felt it was something you wanted to do, I would try to make contact with the family first without sending the photo, just to confirm if the photo would be something they want. You never know how people are handling their grief, and while some may find it a soothing memory to have a photo in that particular setting, another might find it terribly upsetting to see a photo in the same setting where the unfortunate tragedy occurred. So probably best to make sure, before actually sending the photo.

Posting a note to a Facebook site, or to a family page that has been set up for messages or condolences would probably be as far as I would take it - offering my condolences and mentioning that I had a photo of him driving from when I was on the monorail, which I'd be more than willing to forward to them if they should want it. Let them contact you to see if it is something they'd want to have...and give them all the time they need to grieve.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

perhaps some CM's reading this would be able to PM you with a family's e-mail address?

 

[mouselovenfamily]

That's a very nice thought Mark and I hope this photo finds it's way to the family. I'm sure they would love to have it even though they they are grieving right now. It makes me so sad to know this happened and I wish his family great memories...

Renee

 

[spinetnglr]

You could also try legacy.com. Many newspapers across the country participate with this. When my nephew was killed in Afghanistan in February there was legacy register set up for him as an extension of the local obituary. Our family has received so many messages, prayers and posts from people all around the country through that site. Perhaps you could search his name and see if there has been a legacy registry set up for him and contact the family thru that site.

 

[Disney*Dreamer]

Every post I read about this is bringing tears to my eyes. He was such a beautiful boy, and that picture is wonderful, he looks so happy with what he was doing. I think the family would love it. I don't have anything to add about getting it to him since i know nothing about facebook. I just wanted to say what a wonderful thing for you to do.

 

[Michele]

I know a bit about facebook and in order to have any contact between you and Austin's site you would have to be accepted as a friend by someone using his site. I don't think they would be doing that at this time.

I think going through a CM, Disney or a news organization would be a better way to try and contact the family to ask if they would like this photo.

 

[MineMail]

Awwww, that's so sad that he died so young. He does look like he's enjoying the job, but still.

Very kind of you to offer the photo. A group of Disney fans set up a memorial for this young man on Twitter.

http://search.twitter.com/search?q=#Austin

 

[handicap18]

Mark, if you go to facebook and do a search for Austin Wuennenberg there have been 5 groups created in his memory. You could join those groups and try to find a family member there or there is also a MonoRail Family group. Someone there (quite possibly the creator of the group) may be able to help. I would also think that there is a good possiblity that the creator of any of the groups may be able to help. There are many cast members who have joined those groups.

You can also try sending a message to any of his 138 friends (especially those that have stated they are part of the Orlando, FL network) and see if you can get some info from there as well.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

I would assume the funeral home would be listed in the obituary. I would try to reach out to them & ask them to pass along your offer to the family. They are professionals at assisting people during such times & may possess the tact that may be needed.

 

[Experiment_626]

I can certainly understand why you might want to make the offer -- on top of everything else, it is a nice, well-done photo.

SSB

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

OP: I sent you a PM about how we could get it to the family.

 

[ma2jr]

He was so young... so so sad, my heart goes out to his family

 

[SKWDW]

Great photo Mark.

If they're not ready now, then in the future this photo would be a good thing for his family to have.

 

[saturndb]

It is very sad what happened to this young man

 

[WVDisGeek]

Mark,

I think this is a good deed you are trying to do. I am hoping that one of the other poster's ideas will allow you to get your pic to the family.

At least he looked happy, doing what he had always wanted to do.

Our thoughts go out to his family.

Thanks Mark, for doing what I would have expected a member on these boards to do.

Chris

 

[MarkBarbieri]

I appreciate the suggestions. I have take a few of them and hope that the photo reaches his friends and families in a helpful way at an appropriate time. Thank you for your help.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

WTG