SAN DIEGO (KGTV) -- Friends and family gathered Sunday night to remember the experienced hiker who lost his life while hiking El Cajon Mountain on Saturday.
Tom Castiglia went missing while hiking with a group of friends. According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, Castiglia told friends he was going to hike at a slower pace, telling the group to go ahead without him.
RELATED LINKS: Body of missing hiker found at El Cajon Mountain
His friend, Tim Henning, tells 10News Castiglia was experiencing shortness of breath. About 30 minutes after falling behind, Castiglia told the hiking group he was feeling better and was going to catch up but they never heard from him again.
Henning says his friend of nearly 20 years was a family man who loved hiking. He leaves behind his wife and a son who is in college. Castiglia's wife is asking for privacy.
Friends set up a GoFundMe page to help the family with funeral expenses, if you'd like to donate click here.
