The parents and younger brother of freshman Alberto Duboy, known as A.J., were killed after their plane crashed nosefirst into a swampy area on the afternoon of Oct. 25 in Northern Guilford County.

Dr. Alberto Duboy, 47, of Lakeland, Fla., his wife Karen, 44, and 8-year-old son, Matthew, on their way to meet A.J. Duboy for family weekend, were trying to make their way to Piedmont Triad International Airport after failing several attempts to land at Smith Reynolds Airport.

The plane was believed to be experiencing technical problems in dense fog and may have run out of gas.

Kristine Duboy, 15, A.J.'s sister, said her parents and younger brother were all very special people.

"My dad had a great impact on the community," she said. "He was a wonderful doctor, everyone loved him, and a wonderful father. He loved to fly. My mother was a great real estate agent. She was just the best mother ever, always there for everyone, even for other kids. They would come and seek advice from her. My little brother loved soccer. He wanted to grow up and become a soccer player."

According to Kristine Duboy, her family is planning on starting a scholarship fund in honor of her brother Matthew.

She also said that earlier news reports that Dr. Duboy had left a message on the family answering machine from a cellular phone as the plane went down are not true.

University Chaplain Ed Christman said he was called by Student Health Services that night to be of help to A.J. and those who lived with him at Collins Residence Hall.

Christman said two campus ministers and other counselors were on hand to aid students through the "unbelievable, impossible circumstances."

"What I said to him when I sat down next to him on the bed was that there aren't any words," Christman said. "This changes his life. Nineteen years old and he becomes the head of his household, with two teenage daughters."

Duboy said he plans to return to school within the next few weeks, and possibly as early as the night of Nov. 3.

Freshman Chris Jackson is good friends with Duboy and lives on the same hall. He said the university did a good job of helping everyone deal with the tragedy.

"Right after it happened, the first thing the school thought of was how everyone else would react, how people might want to talk about it, so they brought in professionals right away," Jackson said. "The immediate time before, the whole air of the hall was just quiet. Everyone is kind of detached. We don't know what to think."

Freshman Jon Updike, also one of Duboy's good friends and hallmates, said he was pleasantly surprised at the level of support Duboy received that night.

"Throughout the whole night, anyone who knew A.J. in any possible way ended up showing up at some point in the night," Updike said. "Anyone who knew him or just met him once was showing up,"

According to Jackson and Updike, dozens of people chipped in money that night to aid Duboy. Originally, donations were set up to give him pocket money, but it is estimated that to was raised that night.

The two said plans to spend the remainder include sending flowers to the funeral, placing a commemorative brick outside the Benson Center and possibly purchasing a "practical gift" for Duboy.

Other shows of support to Duboy and his family have included placing signs and the initials A.J. in Collins, as well as a commemorative WAKE Radio show held Oct. 27 and a vigil held by Duboy's closest friends Oct. 26.

According to Christman, a public memorial service for the family will be held Nov. 3 at 3 p.m. at the Resurrection Catholic Church in Lakeland, Fla. A member of student counseling will be in attendance.

Christman said that he suggests interested students show support for Duboy by writing letters, drawing pictures or writing poems.

"It's terribly important at this point to stay in touch," Christman said.

Christman also suggests that students interested in donating money wait until a formal memorial is founded.