The St. Paul VI Catholic High School community is mourning the drowning death of Paul VI alumnus Danny Sumner, 37, and his son, Donovan, 6, who were on a fishing trip in Spotsylvania County March 22.
“There was video evidence that showed that the child had caught a fish. Mr. Sumner was videoing that on his cellphone, (capturing) the excitement, when the little boy stepped back and fell off the dock,” said Major Elizabeth Scott of the Spotsylvania County Sheriff’s Department in a WTOP report. “That’s when you can see the cell phone dropped to the dock, and Mr. Sumner went in after his son.”
Tributes on Paul VI’s Facebook page began pouring in following the tragic news. “I’ll never forget his humility, considerate nature and his ability to make us all cheer with genuine pride,” said Chris Stinson, who graduated with Sumner in the class of 2006. “He was a kind, gentle giant.”
After starring in basketball at Paul VI, Sumner earned a scholarship to William & Mary in Williamsburg where he was a three-year starter. “I wish I could have said to you before this happened that you were just a great human being, a great teammate, a great father,” said former high school teammate Curtis Symonds Jr.
Sumner is survived by his wife Madeline and younger son Danilo.
Visitation will be held April 12 at Mt. Zion Baptist Church, 18410 Chapel St., Triangle, at 9 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m.
How to help
A GoFundMe has been set up to help Sumner’s wife and surviving son. Go to bit.ly/4lr9P8i
