A vigil will be held Sunday for a 67-year-old man who was found dead Friday morning in Nocatee.
The vigil for David Berlin was held from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday at Timberland Forest Drive and Valley Ridge Boulevard. Anyone who wanted to attend was asked to wear a mask.
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Berlin, an employee of Firehouse Subs, did not return home after going for a walk about 2 p.m. Thursday in the Timberland Ridge subdivision in the Nocatee area. Coworkers and staff from Firehouse were a part of a multi-agency search for Berlin.
Shortly before 11 a.m. Friday, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office said a body believed to be that of Berlin had been found. It wasn’t immediately clear how Berlin died, and police said his death is now under investigation.
Berlin’s family later told News4Jax it appeared he died of a medical issue.
About 100 people came out to the vigil where police found his body.
They lit candles and family members showed their appreciation for community support.
News4Jax spoke with Berlin’s son, Michael, who said his family wasn’t expecting a large crowd, but said it helps them see how many lives his father touched
“I don’t think he would’ve thought that this many people liked him or that he had this many friends. But he really cared about others more than he did himself, and as I said earlier, it shows and all this love and support,” said Michael Berlin.
There is now a Jewish Star of David where Berlin’s body was found. The family said this is how they wanted to pay tribute to their loved one.
The family said they are thankful for the volunteers, community, police and firefighters who took part in the search.