Mass to Be Said for Jet-Skiing Accident Victim

A Mass will be said Friday for Brian Wessa, the son of Planning Commissioner Zita Wessa who died Sunday after a jet-skiing accident at Lake Mead, Nev.

Wessa, 25, a Fountain Valley High School graduate, attended Orange Coast College and worked as a ramp serviceman for United Airlines at Los Angeles International Airport.

An avid Los Angeles Kings’ fan, he was active in sports and served as a referee for the city’s adult basketball league.

“He lifted everyone up in spirit; he was always the instigator of fun . . . he was so full of life,” said Zita Wessa, who has served on the Fountain Valley Planning Commission for 12 years and is a former board member for the Huntington Beach Union High School District.

Wessa said her son had left Friday with a group of longtime friends for a weeklong vacation on a houseboat at Lake Mead. She said her son was riding a jet ski and collided with another jet skier, who was not injured.

A vigil service and visitation will be held Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach. The memorial Mass will be at noon Friday at the church. Burial will be private.

Wessa is also survived by his father, Alan; brothers, Perry of Riverside and Scott of Cerritos; a sister, Lori Humphries of Huntington Beach; his fiancee, Karrie Sypult of Huntington Beach; three nephews and two nieces.