A paddle-out event took place in Newport Beach for 60-year-old Joseph "Pepe" Anthony Tena.
He was the pilot of the helicopter that slammed into a Newport Beach home, killing him and two other passengers.
PHOTOS: Deadly helicopter crash in Newport Beach
Friends said Tena loved helicopters and Ducati motorcycles. He made a lasting impression on many of them and will be missed.
"He was, really, a fascinating guy; great sense of humor, and I think somebody would call him bon vivant, someone who really was out there doing everything," said friend Andrew Levant.
The two other victims killed in the wreck were identified as Kimberly Lynne Watzman, 45, of Santa Monica and 56-year-old Brian R. Reichelt of Hollywood, Florida.
Watzman was general manager of the Standard Hotel in West Hollywood, according to a friend.
OC helicopter crash victim was manager at WeHo hotel
A surviving victim of the crash remained in critical but stable condition at Orange County Global Medical Center in Santa Ana.