Al's Memorial Fund - Please Help
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family -
Please support us, Al's two children, in raising funds to help cover the expenses of his cremation and burial. It goes without saying that we loved our dad, Alfred Coto, very much and it is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to him after a year-long battle with cancer. The world lost someone truly great when he passed away, and we now ask for your help in honoring his life and his memory. Although it has been very painful to lose such a wonderful father and close friend, we are also both truly grateful and feel lucky to have had the time with him that we did.
We are also so grateful for each of you – the friends and family that have reached out with love and support during this difficult time. We are so thankful and appreciative of all the phone calls, visits, hugs, prayers, and support we've received in various forms over the past couple of weeks. It has meant everything to us. The one thing we need more than anything right now is financial help to honor his wishes by giving the burial that he asked for - to be cremated and buried next to his father.
For those that knew Al, you know that he was not a man of excess. He was humble and kind, and left an indelible mark on all that he knew. He was an excellent Father, and faithful friend. He always listened, and many sought him out for advice and words of encouragement or lighthearted jokes after a long day. He was endlessly curious and excited about the world, and believed that learning should be a life-long journey. He loved the stars and the natural world, and instilled that interest and passion in both of children as well.
In December of 2015, Al was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic esophageal cancer. By the time it was diagnosed, it was very aggressive and had already spread to his kidneys, his lungs, and his spine. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy was too hard on him for him to continue working, so he went on leave in January of 2016. After working for Seton for many years, he was only guaranteed up to 12 weeks of paid leave. After that, he was unfortunately let go. This left him with no health insurance, no life insurance, no pension, and no more 401K benefits. Thankfully, he was able to afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, but he still had to dip into his retirement and his savings, and eventually depleted both. He was unable to find affordable Life Insurance with his diagnosis, so sadly he passed away with nothing to cover the costs of his cremation and burial.
He would have wanted a simple and happy memorial service, where people remembered him over laughter instead of tears. Before he passed, after telling us how much he loved us and saying his goodbyes, he expressed his desire to be cremated and buried in a plot next to his Father. Fortunately, the plot was already purchased, but the cost of cremation and burial are more than we can afford at this time. It would mean so much to us if we could raise the money to cover this cost and celebrate his memory in the way he would have wanted us to.
The various costs of the cremation and burial will be approximately $6,000. 100% of the donations we receive from this gofundme will go directly towards those costs. If we reach this goal and surpass it, Alex and I will use the remaining funds to make a donation in our father's name to the American Cancer Society - so know that your donations will be going to a good cause either way!
Again, we truly appreciate the outpouring support and love from all of his friends and extended family during this time. We count ourselves very lucky to have had such an incredible Father and great friend, and we know that his memory will carry on in the heart and minds of many for many years to come.
If nothing else, please help us by sharing this link through Facebook and social media so that others may read this story and find it in their hearts to donate.
A Celebration of Al’s Life will take place on Friday, December 16th, in Austin, Texas, 1-3p. Please reach out to the family if you would like more details.
Please support us, Al's two children, in raising funds to help cover the expenses of his cremation and burial. It goes without saying that we loved our dad, Alfred Coto, very much and it is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to him after a year-long battle with cancer. The world lost someone truly great when he passed away, and we now ask for your help in honoring his life and his memory. Although it has been very painful to lose such a wonderful father and close friend, we are also both truly grateful and feel lucky to have had the time with him that we did.
We are also so grateful for each of you – the friends and family that have reached out with love and support during this difficult time. We are so thankful and appreciative of all the phone calls, visits, hugs, prayers, and support we've received in various forms over the past couple of weeks. It has meant everything to us. The one thing we need more than anything right now is financial help to honor his wishes by giving the burial that he asked for - to be cremated and buried next to his father.
For those that knew Al, you know that he was not a man of excess. He was humble and kind, and left an indelible mark on all that he knew. He was an excellent Father, and faithful friend. He always listened, and many sought him out for advice and words of encouragement or lighthearted jokes after a long day. He was endlessly curious and excited about the world, and believed that learning should be a life-long journey. He loved the stars and the natural world, and instilled that interest and passion in both of children as well.
In December of 2015, Al was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic esophageal cancer. By the time it was diagnosed, it was very aggressive and had already spread to his kidneys, his lungs, and his spine. Unfortunately, the chemotherapy was too hard on him for him to continue working, so he went on leave in January of 2016. After working for Seton for many years, he was only guaranteed up to 12 weeks of paid leave. After that, he was unfortunately let go. This left him with no health insurance, no life insurance, no pension, and no more 401K benefits. Thankfully, he was able to afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act, but he still had to dip into his retirement and his savings, and eventually depleted both. He was unable to find affordable Life Insurance with his diagnosis, so sadly he passed away with nothing to cover the costs of his cremation and burial.
He would have wanted a simple and happy memorial service, where people remembered him over laughter instead of tears. Before he passed, after telling us how much he loved us and saying his goodbyes, he expressed his desire to be cremated and buried in a plot next to his Father. Fortunately, the plot was already purchased, but the cost of cremation and burial are more than we can afford at this time. It would mean so much to us if we could raise the money to cover this cost and celebrate his memory in the way he would have wanted us to.
The various costs of the cremation and burial will be approximately $6,000. 100% of the donations we receive from this gofundme will go directly towards those costs. If we reach this goal and surpass it, Alex and I will use the remaining funds to make a donation in our father's name to the American Cancer Society - so know that your donations will be going to a good cause either way!
Again, we truly appreciate the outpouring support and love from all of his friends and extended family during this time. We count ourselves very lucky to have had such an incredible Father and great friend, and we know that his memory will carry on in the heart and minds of many for many years to come.
If nothing else, please help us by sharing this link through Facebook and social media so that others may read this story and find it in their hearts to donate.
A Celebration of Al’s Life will take place on Friday, December 16th, in Austin, Texas, 1-3p. Please reach out to the family if you would like more details.
Organizer
Kelsey Coto
Organizer
Austin, TX
