A San Diego resident and father of six, beloved by his friends and family, was killed in a motorcycle crash with a semi-truck in National City Monday.
“He was the best dad," Ashli Moreno said, the 16-year-old eldest daughter of Omar Moreno. “He was a friend. Whenever I had problems with my friends and everything, he was there for me."
Omar, known to loved ones by the nickname "El Nene," died after the crash around 5:50 a.m. on Harbor Drive, south of West Eighth Street.
His 12-year-old son Omar Jr., named after his dad, said his father was the best part of him.
"He was always the best part of me," Omar Jr. explained. “I always tried to be like him but I could not do it."
General Dynamics NASSCO confirmed that Moreno had been employed at the company since January 2002. He was described by a co-worker as generous -- a man loved by many.
“He takes the shirt off of his back for you,” Ignacio Navarro, his longtime co-worker told NBC 7. “If you don’t have lunch, he’ll cover it for you. He’s quick to go out of his way for you. If something needs to get done, he’ll find a way to do it.”
Moreno was just about a mile from his workplace when he was struck by a semi- truck turning left from Harbor Drive onto Vesta Street, in a collision that proved fatal.
His daughter Ashli told NBC 7 she needs to be strong for her younger siblings and mother. She remembers her father as a friend who was always there for her.
“My birthday is on Dec. 8, so yeah we were going to go out and everything, and every birthday he was going to be with me,” Ashli said tearfully.
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Navarro described Moreno as an avid motorcycle rider with a funny sense of humor -- one of the greatest guys around who will be "sorely missed."
“He’s a family man. Family first, work second. His work is for his family. We all know all about his kids," Navarro said. If anyone ever needed a helping hand, Moreno would go "above and beyond," he explained.
The victim’s son Omar Jr. said his mother has suffered the worst from his passing. He plans to support her as much as possible.
“We’re going to help my mom," Omar Jr. said. "She’s the one with the most pain right now. We’re going to support her a lot and try not to give her more problems.”
General Dynamics NASSCO released the following statement expressing grief for Moreno's death:
“The entire team at General Dynamics NASSCO mourns the loss of one of our own in a tragic motorcycle accident. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those who loved him, including his fellow co-workers.”
His co-workers said in a department of more than 100 people, everyone was acquainted with Moreno.
According to his GoFundMe page, he was a son, brother and father. Ashli said her family needs financial support for the funeral.
She will always remember one lesson her father taught her:
"No matter what problems are, everything at the end is going to be fine," Ashli said.
