Celebrate the Life of Enrique Lopez

Dee Pelletier is organizing this fundraiser.

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My name is Dee Pelletier, and my daughter Oona and I spent a great deal of time with Enrique and his sons Ian and Soren in J Hood Wright Park from the time our kids were toddlers until the pandemic. So did other parents & caregivers who are behind this effort to raise funds for his lovely family: Sue Russo (his wife) and Ian & Soren (ages 11 and 4).

Enrique met his untimely death last Sunday, November 13, 2022 after a short and intense battle with gastric cancer.

Enrique was a character. At the playground, he was often the only dad with a bunch of moms, and he tolerated us in his quiet, laid-back manner. He knew every weed, plant, and berry you could eat in the park. Exactly! Who knew you could eat any of it? In the spring, he would always splay helicopter seeds across his nose, and the kids would cackle with laughter. He was not afraid of cicadas. We were. He liked to fish. He seemed to always have something yummy cooking in his kitchen.

He loved his boys. He loved Sue. He was sweet to all of our children.

We are not sure Enrique ever slept. During the time he was the "stay-at-home" dad, he also graduated New York City College of Technology with a degree in Graphic Design, and, as a DACA recipient, successfully jumped through all the hoops to get his Green Card. And if that's not enough - while the pandemic was raging, he went to work for CVS. He had ambitions, and he was a responsible husband, dad, brother, friend and neighbor.

Enrique was also an artist. Sue is an artist too. And yes... together, they made beautiful art. Their art is full of life. Vibrant, imaginative. Just like their boys.

How will the funds be used? So many things are costly right now. There are always bills to be paid, and cancer is expensive. We trust Sue will know exactly what to do with your generosity.

Thank you for celebrating Enrique's life and for keeping his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Services are this Sunday, November 20, 2022 from 4 to 9pm at Rivera Funeral Home, 104-02 37th Avenue, Corona, New York 11368.