What to know about Tamayo Perry, the actor and surfer who died in apparent shark attack

Perry, who described himself as a "Jaws" fan, wrote on Facebook in 2015 that "sharks freak me out" and that "only the Lord can say when it's your time." In another post, he said that he could sense when sharks were around while he was surfing, the Daily Beast reported.

What have Perry's family and colleagues said?

In a statement to The Times that was later posted on social media, Perry's family commemorated him as a "hero."

"He was everyone's big brother, stern and uncompromising with an infectious and kolohe smile. He was your rescuer in time of need, your safety when all things fell apart. He was a knight forged in the fires of the North Shore in the '90s, his faith in Christ the rock upon which he stood. Few are those who truly follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Tamayo never took his eyes off the path," the statement said.

"Tragic though his passing may be, he left this world doing what he loved where he loved to do it. We find strength in knowing he is in heaven with our Lord Jesus Christ, trading barrels at Pipeline with his friends that have gone before him."

How the surf world reacted

The ocean community in Oahu is said to be reeling from the attack. An informal memorial for Perry was set up Monday near his lifeguard post on Banzai Pipeline, according to Hawaii News Now. There, his longtime colleague Lt. Dave Wassel of the Honolulu Ocean Department spoke about the "unique situation" the community had been "thrust into."

"There's nothing in the handbook of how to navigate this," Wassel told the news station. "There are people alive today because of the successful CPR he has performed on them. It's something you can't say about a lot of people, so it's great to see."

In a statement to The Times, Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi said Perry "exemplified bravery, commitment and a deep sense of duty, serving our community with unwavering dedication."

"His heroic actions and tireless efforts to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors will never be forgotten," the mayor said. "As we grieve this unimaginable loss, we are reminded of the inherent risks faced by our lifeguards daily, and we extend our deepest gratitude for their service."

The World Surf League tweeted condolences to Perry's family as it mourned the "beloved icon," who was a member of the league for many years.

His legacy

While the family has asked for privacy, his wife has since set up a GoFundMe fundraiser titled "Supporting Tamayo Perry's Legacy." The campaign launched Monday with a goal raising $100,000. As of Tuesday afternoon, it has exceeded $38,000.

His company said that it would announce a celebration of life at a later time.