In Loving Memory of Andres Vidal Cisneros

June 1, 2025

Dear Family, Friends, and Supporters,

There are no words that can truly capture the pain of losing my father, especially under such tragic and senseless circumstances. His murder has left a hole in our lives that can never be filled—but through the heartbreak, we’ve been surrounded by an outpouring of love that has helped hold us together.

To every single person who has reached out, stood by us, prayed for us, grieved with us, or offered financial help—you have given us strength when we had none. You reminded us that even in the face of cruelty, there is still goodness, still humanity, still love.

Thank you for showing up in so many ways—for your presence, your words, your donations, your silence when there were no words, and your willingness to carry some of this heavy grief with us.

We will never forget what you’ve done for our family, and we will carry your kindness with us as we fight for justice and healing in my father’s name.

Jose Eduardo Vidal

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In Loving Memory of Andres Vidal Cisneros

 

February 15, 1967 – April 6, 2025

 

Our father, Andres Vidal Cisneros, was born on February 15, 1967, in Valle de Santiago, Mexico, and was taken from us far too soon on April 6, 2025, in Botija, Valle de Santiago, Mexico. He was the heartbeat of our family—a man of unshakable strength, deep integrity, and endless love. As a husband, father, and grandfather, he poured his life into us, and now we’re left with an ache that words can’t fully capture.

At just 18, our father met our mom, his soulmate and wife of over 40 years. Soon after, they welcomed their first child, and with a young family to care for, he made the bold choice at 19 to leave everything he knew in Mexico and bring us to the United States for a better life. In Fresno, California, he built our world from the ground up, working long days in construction to provide for his wife and all 5 of us kids. We grew up in a home filled with his quiet lessons—perseverance through every struggle, unity as a family, and responsibility to live with purpose. He didn’t just tell us how to live; he showed us, every single day.

Our father taught us the value of life—not with words, but with his sweat, his sacrifice, and his unwavering spirit.

After settling in the U.S., he didn’t return to Mexico until 2013, but from then on, he made it a point to go back every year for a couple of months. Those trips to his house in Mexico became his sanctuary, a place that brought him immense joy. He’d come home with stories that lit up his face, tales of a land and people he loved—a reward for a life of hard work. We can still hear his voice, see his smile, and feel the pride he took in those moments in his house in Mexico—a sanctuary where he’d recharge

But this time, our father didn’t come home. On his latest trip, while driving a tractor in Botija, Valle de Santiago, on April 6, 2025, he was attacked by thieves. True to the man he was—fearless and principled—he stood his ground. Tragically, they took his life, leaving our family shattered. He leaves behind our mom, his wife of 40 years, us—his 5 children—and 5 grandchildren who adored their “Grandpa.” His absence is a wound we’ll carry forever.

We’ve started this GoFundMe because our father deserves more than a quiet goodbye—he deserves a funeral as grand as the life he lived, a celebration that echoes the love and strength he gave us. We want to bring him home from Mexico, lay him to rest with the honor he’s earned, and gather as a family to say farewell in a way that lifts his spirit to the skies. Your help—whether a donation or sharing our story—can make this possible. Every dollar brings us closer to giving him the tribute he never got to plan for himself, one that reflects the giant he was to us and the world.

Our father was our rock a man who lived with his whole heart and loved sharing the joy he found in life. Please help us give him the farewell he deserves—a moment of beauty in the midst of our pain. From the bottom of our broken hearts, thank you for reading, for caring, and for any kindness you can offer.

With gratitude,

The Children of Andres Vidal Cisneros

En Memoria Amorosa de Andrés Vidal Cisneros

15 de febrero de 1967 – 6 de abril de 2025

Nuestro padre, Andrés Vidal Cisneros, nació el 15 de febrero de 1967 en Valle de Santiago, México, y nos fue arrebatado demasiado pronto el 6 de abril de 2025 en Botija, Valle de Santiago, México. Era el corazón de nuestra familia: un hombre de fuerza inquebrantable, profunda integridad y amor infinito. Como esposo, padre y abuelo, dedicó su vida a nosotros, y ahora nos queda un dolor que las palabras no pueden capturar completamente.

A los 18 años, nuestro padre conoció a nuestra madre, su alma gemela y esposa durante más de 40 años. Poco después, dieron la bienvenida a su primer hijo y, con una joven familia a su cargo, tomó la valiente decisión a los 19 años de dejar todo lo que conocía en México y traernos a Estados Unidos por una vida mejor. En Fresno, California, construyó nuestro mundo desde cero, trabajando largas jornadas en la construcción para mantener a su esposa y a los cinco de nosotros, sus hijos. Crecimos en un hogar lleno de sus lecciones silenciosas: perseverancia ante cada lucha, unidad como familia y responsabilidad de vivir con propósito. No solo nos decía cómo vivir; nos lo mostraba, cada día.

Nuestro padre nos enseñó el valor de la vida, no con palabras, sino con su sudor, su sacrificio y su espíritu inquebrantable.

Tras establecerse en Estados Unidos, no regresó a México hasta 2013, pero a partir de entonces se aseguró de volver cada año por un par de meses. Esos viajes a su casa en México se convirtieron en su santuario, un lugar que le brindaba una inmensa alegría. Regresaba a casa con historias que iluminaban su rostro, relatos de una tierra y una gente que amaba: una recompensa por una vida de trabajo duro. Todavía podemos escuchar su voz, ver su sonrisa y sentir el orgullo que encontraba en esos momentos en su casa en México, un santuario donde recargaba energías.

Pero esta vez, nuestro padre no regresó a casa. En su último viaje, mientras conducía un tractor en Botija, Valle de Santiago, el 6 de abril de 2025, fue atacado por ladrones. Fiel al hombre que era —valiente y principled— se mantuvo firme. Trágicamente, le arrebataron la vida, dejando a nuestra familia destrozada. Deja atrás a nuestra madre, su esposa de 40 años, a nosotros —sus cinco hijos— y a cinco nietos que adoraban a su “abuelo”. Su ausencia es una herida que llevaremos por siempre.

Hemos iniciado este GoFundMe porque nuestro padre merece más que un adiós silencioso: merece un funeral tan grandioso como la vida que vivió, una celebración que refleje el amor y la fuerza que nos dio.

Queremos traerlo de vuelta a casa desde México, darle descanso con el honor que se ganó y reunirnos como familia para despedirnos de una manera que eleve su espíritu al cielo. Tu ayuda —ya sea una donación o compartiendo nuestra historia— puede hacerlo posible. Cada dólar nos acerca más a darle el homenaje que él nunca pudo planear para sí mismo, uno que refleje el gigante que fue para nosotros y para el mundo.

Nuestro padre fue nuestra roca, un hombre que vivió con todo su corazón y amaba compartir la alegría que encontraba en la vida. Por favor, ayúdanos a darle la despedida que merece: un momento de belleza en medio de nuestro dolor. Desde lo más profundo de nuestros corazones rotos, gracias por leer, por preocuparte y por cualquier bondad que puedas ofrecer.

Con gratitud,

Los hijos de Andrés Vidal Cisneros