Slain hostage Ronen Engel was laid to rest Tuesday in his home community, Kibbutz Nir Oz, with his family recalling a husband and father who was full of optimism and infectious humor.

A motorcade of motorcycles, many with Israeli flags attached, accompanied Engel’s body as he was brought to the kibbutz for burial.

Engel, 54, who was killed in the kibbutz and whose body was seized and taken to Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7, 2023, was a devoted motorcycle rider. His body was returned by Hamas on Saturday evening.

His widow, daughters, and brother eulogized him as optimistic and adventurous, full of life and laughter, whose motto was “Always look on the bright side of life.”

“You were the heart of our home — the one who knew how to make us laugh even on the hardest days, with your endless humor and optimism,” said Engel’s widow, Karina Engel-Bart. “You were always smiling, always with a witty line that made everyone turn to look at you and ask, ‘Is he serious?’ — and then hear you say, ‘I’m crazy, but I’m optimistic.'”

Engel-Bart was taken hostage the day her husband was killed, along with their two daughters. They were released the following month. A son, Tom, was not at home when the attack took place.

Engel’s oldest daughter, Mika, now 20, eulogized her father, saying she’ll never get to call him “Abush” again.

“It was you and me against the world — and now it’s just me, alone against the world,” she said. “A world that’s torn me into a million pieces and is devouring me. How will I ever cope without you?

“I’m so tired of crying over your picture — I’d give anything to cry with you, just one more time, and not about........

© The Times of Israel