Former President Barack Obama was pictured hitting the ties while former first lady Michelle Obama played tennis near their Martha’s Vineyard estate, for the first time since their beloved deputy’s death .
The couple are mourning the loss of their personal chef Tafari Campbell, who tragically drowned after falling from his paddle board on the large pond in Edgartown near the Obamas’ summer property on Sunday.
Since then, Barack, 61, and Michelle, who were not at home at the time of the accident, have kept a low profile as they continue their annual family summer vacation at the idyllic summer colony .
Barack Obama was seen hitting the links at Vineyard Golf Club on Friday as he mourned the loss of his personal chef
The former president has been spending most of his free time playing golf after the family’s annual summer vacation to Martha’s Vineyard took a tragic turn last weekend.
Meanwhile, wife Michelle, 59, hit the tennis courts near Oak Bluffs, where she was seen working out with a few friends on Friday.
Obama, 61, wore a lime green polo shirt, white shorts, cleats and a glove emblazoned with his presidential number 44
The POTUS alum and his wife have remained physically active while coping with their grief, spending much of their free time at the golf course and tennis courts respectively.
The couple, who walked out of their $12million property for the first time since Wednesday’s tragedy, were pictured for the first time as they drove away on Friday morning.
Michelle arrived at the Farm Neck country club in nearby Oak Bluffs with a two-car security service where she met friends and a trainer for drills.
The mum-of-two, wearing an all-white tennis dress, white cap and sunglasses, was seen receiving a comforting hug from a friend on the court.
His tennis session included a 90-minute practice session. Between the action, Obama, glistening with sweat, was seen picking up balls with a Tenn Tube.
The former first lady was seen arriving at the Farm Neck country club in nearby Oak Bluffs with a two-car Secret Service security detail on Friday morning
The avid tennis player wore a white tennis dress, white cap and sunglasses as she stepped out on Friday
The mum-of-two had her face on the match and was glistening with sweat in what looked like a very intense match
At one point Michelle and a friend were seen sharing a consoling embrace on the pitch
Later that morning, Barack was seen driving his own three-car security service to the members-only Vineyard Golf Club, where he was seen grabbing his putter and walking to the green .
He wore a lime green polo shirt, white shorts, cleats and a glove emblazoned with his presidential number 44.
Earlier this week the family paid tribute to Campbell, who worked for them for 14 years and leaves behind his wife and two sons.
Tafari Campbell, 45, drowned on Sunday after losing his balance while paddling off Martha’s Vineyard
“Tafari was a beloved part of our family,” the Obamas said in a statement.
“When we first met him, he was a talented Sous Chef at the White House – creative and passionate about food and his ability to bring people together.
“In the years since, we have come to know him as a warm, fun and extraordinarily kind person who has made our lives a little brighter.”
“That’s why, as we were about to leave the White House, we asked Tafari to stay with us, and he generously agreed.
“He’s been a part of our lives ever since, and our hearts are broken that he’s gone.”
Massachusetts State Police confirmed on Tuesday that Campbell lost his balance while water sports on Edgartown’s large pond and fell into the water.
He was accompanied by another person, who tried to swim to Campbell and save him but “did not reach him in time”.
An autopsy revealed he had no external trauma or injury, police said on Wednesday.
Sasha, 22, and Malia, 25, were spotted leaving Martha’s Vineyard on Tuesday after the family’s private head died
A photo shared by Campbell in 2017 showed him with his wife Sherise enjoying the waters off Aruba with the hashtag #stillcantswim
The 45-year-old disappeared on Sunday and his body was found Monday morning.
The following afternoon, Obama’s daughters, Sasha and Malia, flew off the island, while the former first couple stayed at their $12 million summer home.
Videos posted to Campbell’s social media show he was a proficient swimmer, despite a 2019 post of him in the sea in Aruba with the hashtag #stillcantswim.
It’s unclear who called emergency services or who the paddle mate was, but police confirmed the call took place near Obama’s estate.
In a statement, Massachusetts State Police said: “The investigation into the death of Tafari Campbell, 45, of Virginia, who was recovered from Edgartown Great Pond on Monday, along with a first post examination -mortem by the Office of the Chief Medical Officer The examiner found no evidence that the death was suspicious.
“On-scene observation of the victim by State Police personnel and autopsy by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner revealed no trauma or external injuries.”
