Avi Hasday, 53: Solar energy exec who loved to go fishing

Avi Hasday, 53, from Ramat Gan, was murdered by Hamas terrorists at the Zikim Beach on October 7.

Avi set out early that Saturday morning to meet up with friends and go fishing along the beach, one of his favorite hobbies. When the rocket fire began, he sought safety in a nearby bomb shelter, but when Hamas terrorists invaded the area they attacked those hiding in the shelter with grenades and gunfire, and Avi was killed. In total, 19 civilians who were on the beach that morning were slain in the attack.

After 10 days with no word, Avi’s family was informed that his body had been found. He was buried in Tel Aviv on October 17. He is survived by his wife, Efrat, their three children, Lia, Sagiv and Amit, his mother, Carmela and sister, Ronit. He was predeceased by his father, Aharon.

Avi grew up in Lod, attending elementary school in the city and high school in nearby Ramle, according to a state eulogy. During his mandatory military service, he served as a helicopter technician in the Air Force, stationed at the Palmahim airbase.

After being released, Avi began working at the Hashmal Yashir company in the field of sales and marketing, staying there for 31 years as a devoted employee. In 2021, he left the company and began working at the Kahane group, managing sales and marketing for its solar energy division.

In 2004, Avi married Efrat, and they had three children, making their home in Ramat Gan. He was a devoted dad, spending weekends with his family when he wasn’t out fishing with his friends — one of his favorite pastimes, and for which he purchased professional equipment.

Avi’s brother-in-law, Ilan, recalled meeting him at age 14 or 15, “young, smiling, calm, but full of energy, charismatic, smart, sharp.” In later years, he wrote, “you met Efrat and together you built an incredible relationship, and established a warm nest and brought Lia, Amit and Sagiv into the world, and you were on cloud nine.”

Ilan recounted times they would go out fishing together, with Avi’s late father. “You and me with a thermos of coffee, some borekas or sandwiches from home, sitting for hours, with lightning in your eyes waiting for a fish… You brought your enjoyment [of fishing] to new heights every time… and ultimately it brought you to your end.”

His wife, Efrat, wrote online about how much he loved fishing, a hobby “that fulfilled you, gave you good energy, it was so fun to see your smile and your love for it, that you made sure to do the thing you loved.”

Through that hobby, she said, “Your life was ended and so was ours. They cut off your life, all the love and the excitement and the fun and the experiences we were supposed to keep having together.”

“Our Avi. You’re a wonderful person with so much action and generosity, made sure nothing was lacking, that everyone would find success in their work and in what they desired,” added Efrat. “You’re an incredible conversationalist, our support system. We always had someone to talk to, you were always attentive to everything and ready with advice. You always aspired to succeed in everything.”

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