Widow of Tamayo Perry speaks publicly for first time since shark attack took surf legend husband

"Love everybody when you have them because you never know when they're going to be taken away."

The death of surf legend Tamayo Perry still feels a surreal shock. The surfer, lifeguard, actor, 49, was surfing near Goat Island in Kahuku where he was attacked by what is believed to be a tiger shark. Perry was born and raised on the east side of Oahu and was known for a beautifully fearless style, “combining the tube traits of Gerry Lopez and Tom Carroll,” according to surf historian Matt Warshaw.

Perry was a devout Christian and married to his wife, Emilia, for 25 years. Hours ago she sat down on Good Morning America to speak publicly for the first time alongside friend and Perry’s fellow lifeguard Jesse King.

She says she has a certain peace, knowing that he is in a better place, but for her, “It was like I went on the best 25 year vacation of my life and now it’s over, now I’ve got to come back to reality.”

King, added that the screw foot regularly paddled out where he was attacked and knew the area like the back of his hand. “There was nothing out of the ordinary that would indicate something bad would happen to him instead of someone else. It was a regular day.”

At the end, Emilia Perry says that Tamayo’s legacy is clear. “How to be a better human. Love everybody when you have them because you never know when they’re going to be taken away.”

Her voice cracking at the end in pure heartbreak.