In a tragedy that has shaken the tight-knit fishing community of Gloucester, Massachusetts, the family of Captain Gus Sanfilippo has shared the devastating final phone conversation he had with his young daughter, mere days before her birthday—and before the fishing vessel Lily Jean sank, claiming the lives of all seven aboard.

Gus Sanfilippo, a fifth-generation commercial fisherman featured in a 2012 History Channel episode of “Nor’Easter Men,” was known for his skill, resilience, and deep family ties. The 72-foot Lily Jean was heading home from Georges Bank after a grueling trip when disaster struck in bone-chilling conditions, with temperatures plunging to dangerous lows and freezing spray turning equipment into ice.

Hours before the vessel capsized without a mayday call, Sanfilippo had spoken with a fellow captain about the brutal cold freezing air holes and making conditions unbearable. But the call that now haunts his loved ones was the one to his daughter. In soft, loving tones, he told her how much he missed her, how excited he was for her special day, and how he couldn’t wait to be home to celebrate with cake, gifts, and hugs. He promised stories from the sea and whispered that she was his greatest treasure. The little girl, blissfully unaware, chatted about her birthday wishes, her laughter filling the line as her father listened with pride.

That call ended with “I love you, sweetheart—see you soon.” It was the last time anyone in his family heard his voice.

The U.S. Coast Guard launched an extensive search after an emergency beacon activated, covering over 1,000 square miles of the Atlantic off Cape Ann. Debris, an empty life raft, and one body were recovered, but the rest of the crew—including Sanfilippo—remain lost to the sea. The fishing industry, already one of the world’s most perilous, has lost yet another group of brave men who brave freezing waves for their livelihood and families.

Sanfilippo’s friends and former crewmates remember him as a mentor, a big brother figure who taught generations about the sea’s unforgiving nature while always putting family first. Community vigils have drawn hundreds to churches and the iconic Gloucester Fisherman’s Memorial, where mourners leave flowers and share stories of his generosity and calm leadership.

For his daughter, the birthday that should have been filled with joy turned into unimaginable grief. The family released the call details not for publicity, but to honor a father’s enduring love amid unimaginable loss. As investigations continue into what caused the sudden sinking of a well-equipped, experienced vessel, the pain remains raw: a little girl’s birthday forever marked by absence, and a father’s final words echoing as a poignant reminder of what was stolen too soon.

The Gloucester fishing community rallies in support, with funds set up for the bereaved families. In the face of such heartbreak, one truth stands clear—Gus Sanfilippo’s legacy lives on in the love he poured into every moment, especially those last precious words to his daughter.