LI Town Prays For Former Neighbor Missing In FL Condo Collapse

SOUTHAMPTON, NY— Southampton residents are praying fiercely for a former neighbor and friend who remains missing as the desperate search for survivors continues at the site of the 12-story condo collapse in Surfside, FL.

Kevin Spiegel and his wife Judy live in the Champlain Towers South Condo, located at 8777 Collins Ave., that collapsed in the early morning hours Thursday.

As of Saturday, four deaths were confirmed, 159 people were unaccounted for and 127 were accounted for.

Former colleagues and friends were devastated to learn that Judy Spiegel remains missing; Kevin was in California on a business trip. After the news, he and the couple's grown children Rachel, Josh, and Michael Spiegel, rushed to the site of the collapse, holding tightly to hope.

And in Southampton, friends and former colleagues sent prayers.

"About 17 years ago, when I was Southampton Town Deputy Supervisor, I met Kevin Spiegel, then the executive vice president of Southampton Hospital," Robert I. Ross wrote on Facebook. "Kevin was also a volunteer with one of our local ambulance corps. Several of his children went to the Southampton Public Schools. As fate would have it, in 2008 I joined Southampton Hospital. Kevin had already moved on by the time I started to work there. I spoke with him once or twice over these many years."

Ross added: "Kevin and his wife Judy lived in the condo complex that collapsed in Surfside, Florida in the middle of the night Thursday. Kevin was in California on business but his wife was in their apartment. Judy is one of the missing people. You may have seen Kevin and his children on national television over the last few days. Through tears, they are asking for prayers for Judy and the other victims. I'm asking Kevin's friends in Southampton and his former colleagues at the hospital to join in praying for Judy and the other victims of this horrific tragedy."

Judy's family has spoken lovingly of their wife and mother, who has touched so many lives.

"My mom is just the best person in the world, so caring and loving, she just loves my kids," Rachel told CNN.

"We have to hold out hope. We don’t have another option,” Rachel told News4jax.com; the news outlet also reported that Judy is known as a philanthropist who fundraised for a children’s hospital and other causes to help children in need.

Josh Spiegel, the couple's son, a physician in Florida, told CNN he was concerned about a fire that broke out at the site of the collapse and has slowed rescue efforts. "My heart's shattered," he told CNN.

"Praying," one friend wrote on Facebook.

"I will pray for Judy," another wrote. "This is a horrific tragedy."

"Such a nice family!" friend Mary Ellen Schaefer added. "My daughters went to school with his children at Southampton schools. When I saw him on TV, I was devastated. I’m praying for Judy." Schaefer told Patch, "I'm so sad."

Her many friends echoed what Judy's daughter Rachel told Fox News: "I'm just praying for a miracle."