The 52-year-old California man who nearly died during his six-week hospitalization for the rare bacterial infection he apparently contracted on Kaua'i went home last night. And thanks to a group of about 14 volunteers who spent hours by his bedside when his family could not, he says he will be back.

"It was quite an inspiration," Gary Aguiar, of San Francisco, told the Visitor Aloha Society and Rotary Club volunteers yesterday at a farewell party for the 52-year-old business owner. "You guys really helped me. I'm really grateful."

Aguiar says he got sick after cutting his leg several times on the rocks at Po'ipu Beach on July 4, when swimming with his wife and two sons, ages 10 and 13. Two days later, Aguiar went to Wilcox Hospital with a swollen leg and flulike symptoms.

State Health Department officials say the necrotizing fasciitis Aguiar contracted could not have been picked up in the water, as the Group A streptococcus bacterium found in his system is spread from person to person and is not waterborne.

The bacteria invaded Aguiar's system and attacked his kidney and heart. He slipped into a two-week coma and was administered the last rites on July 14. A week later, his wife was forced to return to California to be with her children.

Before she left, she called the Rotary Club in Honolulu, which formed a plan with the Visitor Aloha Society on how to take care of Aguiar and keep the family updated.

Members of the "Gary Team" visited Aguiar daily, bringing flowers, food, cards and conversation. And Jessica Lani Rich, executive director of the society, sent out a daily e-mail to volunteers and Aguiar's family to let them know how he was doing.

"It was really a privilege ... to help him through a dark time," Rich said.

Marsha Aguiar said it was difficult to leave her husband in Honolulu alone, but she felt better knowing he would get company during long, restless days confined to his bed at Kaiser Moanalua Medical Center. "He was so close to death," she said.

Aguiar was released on Friday. The avid runner and swimmer, who says he now wants to try the Honolulu Marathon, still has to use a walker and gets tired easily.

But the large wounds and skin grafts on his leg are healing.

At the Best Western yesterday, "Team Gary" volunteers gathered to send Aguiar home with a few gifts, lei and a full stomach. Bob Gentry, one of the volunteers, told Aguiar the two had formed a special bond and he said they would remain friends.

"It was a very powerful experience," Gentry said, "and a very emotional one."

Reach Mary Vorsino at mvorsino@honoluluadvertiser.com.