MASCOTTE, Fla. — More stories of survival and loss are emerging from the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Channel 9 learned one of the men gunned down as he watched a concert used to live in central Florida.
The Mascotte city manager and his wife hosted a French exchange student for six weeks.
Raw: Mascotte City manager talks about former exchange student
The student, Romain Didier, 32, was one of the victims shot and killed at the Bataclan Theatre. Didier’s girlfriend was also shot and killed.
"He had an infectious smile,” said City Manager Jim Gleason.
Gleason first met Didier in 1992.
He was a 10-year-old exchange student from France.
Didier explored central Florida's lakes and theme parks, and loved Orlando Predator football.
Gleason said he and his sons bonded with Didier.
Over the next two years, Didier returned to his family and the Gleasons later visited them in France.
"They were part of the family cookouts. We even went on a small cruise with them,” Gleason said.
Gleason said Didier continued to explore and love life.
His Facebook photos show him traveling the globe.
Gleason called him the life of the party and said Didier managed a tavern in the part of Paris besieged by gunmen.
Gleason learned of Didier’s death the morning after the attacks.
He said he was heartbroken that his friend who was so full of life had lost his.
"You just shake your head and say, ‘It makes no sense,’” said Didier.
Gleason said the one thing that gives him some peace is knowing Didier lived life to the fullest every day.
WFTV
