Boozhoo, hello everyone. My name is Nathaniel Sayas “Nate Sayas-Porter", and I’m starting this fundraiser to help cover the cremation, funeral, and Celebration of Life costs for my dad, Daniel “Taco” Sayas Sr. (1961–2025). I’m doing this on behalf of myself and my brother, Danny Jr.

Our father began his journey home this September after nearly a decade of fighting complicated health issues. Years ago, he survived a heart attack, only to learn he also had primary myelofibrosis, a chronic leukemia. Even with all of this, he lived his life the way he always did—quietly, humbly, doing the best he could and trying every day to push forward.

Everything changed this past spring. I was getting ready for work in New Mexico when I received the call that my dad was in the ICU in Madison, WI, and we needed to come right away. My partner and I flew out immediately.

When we arrived, we learned that my dad had fallen into a deep depression and severe malnutrition, which caused muscle atrophy and a life-threatening case of necrotic pneumonia. After weeks in the hospital, he stabilized enough to choose one of two paths: continue fighting, or allow his journey to take its natural course. He chose to fight.

And against all odds, he made what his doctors literally called a miracle. He went from the ICU to a general hospital floor, then to a long-term care facility, and slowly—day by day—we watched him improve. My partner and I moved back home to Wisconsin to care for him and support his recovery.

But even miracles run into red tape.

Dad wanted to stay in Wisconsin for treatment, but his insurance forced him to transfer to Illinois. When that facility tried to continue his care, more insurance complications forced him back to Wisconsin. Then, with no warning, he was told his state-provided insurance would no longer cover the treatment he needed to survive. They claimed he was “healthy enough to go home,” even though every doctor, nurse, and specialist we talked to agreed he could not safely take care of himself.

With no answers and no way to privately pay for care, our father was sent home anyway.

By late August, we had him settled the best we could—but the decline was immediate. A man who just weeks before had been regaining strength could no longer stand. His progress reversed overnight.

In late September, I planned to visit him so we could watch the Packers game together. Instead, I received a call that he had fallen and needed help. By the time I arrived, our father had passed away.

Our dad fought for years—through illness, through pain, through every curveball life threw at him. He did his best to give us the life he never had. He looked forward to calmer years surrounded by family and friends. He was the kind of person who still found a way to look out for others even while he was hurting.

But when he needed help the most, his healthcare system failed him.

And this isn’t just our story—millions of families across the country know this pain. Many have lost loved ones because insurance providers and state/federal cuts leave sick people with nowhere to turn. If you’ve ever lost someone because they couldn’t get the care they needed, or watched a family member struggle after losing coverage, you understand exactly how devastating this is.

This journey has changed us. It’s taught us, broken us, and started to heal us. It also left us financially drained. We moved across the country, used all of our savings, and I lost my job in the process. Now, we’re simply trying to give our father the dignity, honor, and celebration he deserves.

So we are humbly asking our friends, family, and community—anyone who knew Taco, grew up with us, or simply understands what this kind of loss feels like—to help if you’re able. Even small donations make a real difference.

Life is expensive, and something they never tell you is that passing away can be even harder.

Miigwech. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, shared their condolences, or spoken kindly about our father. It means the world to us as we honor Daniel “Taco” Sayas Sr.

Service and Celebration of Life details will be shared soon.

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Daniel “Taco” Sayas Sr., age 64 of Westfield, passed away Sunday, September 28, 2025, at his home. Taco was born on September 5, 1961, in Milwaukee to Alvino and Arlene (Jozefiak) Sayas. Taco, known to family and friends by his nickname, was a fun-loving guy who enjoyed spending time with friends and family. He loved watching his beloved Green Bay Packers and was most proud of his family. He will be remembered most for his ability to make others smile and laugh. A gift that was truly his best trait.

Taco is survived by his children: Danny Jr. (Kat) of Naperville, IL, Nate (Zunneh-bah Jim) of Stevens Point, Jordan of Oshkosh, and Briana Brandenburg of Milwaukee...”

Obituary: https://www.crawfordfh.com/obituaries/daniel-sayas