Mobile's Mike deGruy posthumously honored for his underwater achievements

Tamara Ikenberg -

In February, Mobilian and world-renowned underwater documentarian and cinematographer Mike deGruy died in a helicopter crash in Australia.

At the time, the Emmy Award winning filmmaker, 60, was working on a documentary with National Geographic and James Cameron.

Tonight, deGruy will be posthumously presented with the Distinguished Service award at The 52nd Annual Academy of Underwater Arts & Sciences NOGI Awards Gala at Harrah's Las Vegas.

The NOGI is the most prestigious award in the diving world. Mike deGruy's wife Mimi will be accepting the award on his behalf. "It's hugely emotional.

One of the more gratifying things about it is he knew about this award before he died," Mimi deGruy said via phone from Las Vegas.

"He was really honored and very excited. But it's just hard. It's hard that he's not here to get it himself." Mike deGruy grew up in Mobile, but he and Mimi made their home in Santa Barbara. Ca.

Their children Max, 19 and Frances, 15, are in college and high school respectively. Mike deGruy's lifelong friend and Mobile resident Jay Ison and his wife Jamie are also in Las Vegas to attend the ceremony.

They brought deGruy's mother Katherine, 84, who still resides in Mobile.

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