Fair Haven's, Eric Gonzalez jr
Donation protected
On Christmas Day, four year old Eric Gonzalez Jr. of Fair Haven CT was killed. His single mother, 25 year old Yokasta Cortorreal, has been dealt this unimaginable tragedy of losing her only child.
Henderson's Funeral Home in Springfield MA (where the family has relatives) has put together a tremendous service at a great discount which will take place this January 4th and 5th at their location. Within hours of hearing of the need, five Branford CT businessmen stepped in to pay for the remaining expenses for this service. Police in New Haven and Springfield have been a comfort to the family and many of them plan to attend the funeral for Eric Jr.
There is, as you can imagine, much more that needs to be done. This campaign is dedicated to two needs:
1) helping Yokasta recover financially from the incidental costs of the funeral - transportation, lodging, food, clothes, etc.
2) helping Yokasta start a new life in the year to come. She would like to move out of the apartment she shared with her only son and into with one of her sisters. After the funeral the two of them plan to rent a two bedroom apartment outside of New Haven.
Yokasta is a valued full-time employee at the 1-95 McDonalds in Madison and plans to return to work there as soon as she is physically and emotionally able. Lets make sure, when that day comes, that she will be living with the surrounding and support she needs and further, that she can start her new life without the added burden of debt.
Specifically, around $2,000 from the campaign will go to pay current incidental expenses. The balance raised will be used to secure the new lease and for moving costs.
Finally, by way of explanation of how I know the family: Eric Jr.'s grandmother, Daisy Mangual, has been the lead gardener at The Stand restaurant in Branford, CT (and on that same land before it was The Stand) for over ten years - a place that I helped owners, Eamon Roche and Greg Nobile, dream up a few years back... and a place where I have spent a ton of wonderful time. She is an exceptional woman and employee and has shared her family; her daughters and this incredible little boy with The Stand community over the past two years...
One note that I want to add: Yokasta did not initiate this campaign. When approached about it, she waved her hand in complete and utter grief, saying "I cannot deal with that right now". My hope is that one day - not tomorrow, not next week - but one day, she will be able to open her eyes again and see a life worth living in front of her...and with a few dollars to take that first step.
Thank you so much,
Maggie
____________________________________________________________
Service details:
Eric Gonzalez Jr. Feb 16, 2012 - December 25, 2016.
January 1, 2016
Dear Friends and Family,
Please join me in commemorating the life of my precious son, Eric Gonzales Jr. who was taken from us this past Christmas Day.
The funeral will be held in Springfield, Mass this coming Thursday, January 5th. The following is the schedule of events, addresses and details pertaining to his service.
In Mourning,
Yokasta Cortorreal
___________________________________________________________
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, January 4th: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM - viewing at Henderson’s Funeral Home
Thursday, January 5th: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM - baptism at Henderson’s Funeral Home
11:00 AM - service at Blessed Sacrament Church
12:00 PM - burial at Springfield Cemetery
Addresses:
Henderson's Funeral Home, Inc.
52 Hancock St.
Springfield, Massachusetts 01109
Phone: [phone redacted]
Blessed Sacrament Church
40 Waverly Street
Springfield, MA 01107
(413) [phone redacted]
Springfield Cemetery
171 Maple Street
Springfield, MA 01105
[Note: The cemetery entrance is at the intersection of Maple St and Central St.
The entrance road looks like a driveway between two apartment buildings. There are two pillars with plaques that read "Springfield Cemetery."
The cemetery is NOT visible from the street.]
McClelland’s Florist
123 Academy Street
Chicopee, MA 01013 |
(413) [phone redacted]
[Note: please order flowers for the service no later than January 3rd, thank you.]
Details
Guests should feel free to bring a present for Eric Jr. if they care to as the viewing has been staged as a Christmas scene.
Gentlemen attending the service are requested to where white as opposed to dark shirts.
...............................
Henderson's Funeral Home in Springfield MA (where the family has relatives) has put together a tremendous service at a great discount which will take place this January 4th and 5th at their location. Within hours of hearing of the need, five Branford CT businessmen stepped in to pay for the remaining expenses for this service. Police in New Haven and Springfield have been a comfort to the family and many of them plan to attend the funeral for Eric Jr.
There is, as you can imagine, much more that needs to be done. This campaign is dedicated to two needs:
1) helping Yokasta recover financially from the incidental costs of the funeral - transportation, lodging, food, clothes, etc.
2) helping Yokasta start a new life in the year to come. She would like to move out of the apartment she shared with her only son and into with one of her sisters. After the funeral the two of them plan to rent a two bedroom apartment outside of New Haven.
Yokasta is a valued full-time employee at the 1-95 McDonalds in Madison and plans to return to work there as soon as she is physically and emotionally able. Lets make sure, when that day comes, that she will be living with the surrounding and support she needs and further, that she can start her new life without the added burden of debt.
Specifically, around $2,000 from the campaign will go to pay current incidental expenses. The balance raised will be used to secure the new lease and for moving costs.
Finally, by way of explanation of how I know the family: Eric Jr.'s grandmother, Daisy Mangual, has been the lead gardener at The Stand restaurant in Branford, CT (and on that same land before it was The Stand) for over ten years - a place that I helped owners, Eamon Roche and Greg Nobile, dream up a few years back... and a place where I have spent a ton of wonderful time. She is an exceptional woman and employee and has shared her family; her daughters and this incredible little boy with The Stand community over the past two years...
One note that I want to add: Yokasta did not initiate this campaign. When approached about it, she waved her hand in complete and utter grief, saying "I cannot deal with that right now". My hope is that one day - not tomorrow, not next week - but one day, she will be able to open her eyes again and see a life worth living in front of her...and with a few dollars to take that first step.
Thank you so much,
Maggie
____________________________________________________________
Service details:
Eric Gonzalez Jr. Feb 16, 2012 - December 25, 2016.
January 1, 2016
Dear Friends and Family,
Please join me in commemorating the life of my precious son, Eric Gonzales Jr. who was taken from us this past Christmas Day.
The funeral will be held in Springfield, Mass this coming Thursday, January 5th. The following is the schedule of events, addresses and details pertaining to his service.
In Mourning,
Yokasta Cortorreal
___________________________________________________________
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, January 4th: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM - viewing at Henderson’s Funeral Home
Thursday, January 5th: 9:30 AM-10:30 AM - baptism at Henderson’s Funeral Home
11:00 AM - service at Blessed Sacrament Church
12:00 PM - burial at Springfield Cemetery
Addresses:
Henderson's Funeral Home, Inc.
52 Hancock St.
Springfield, Massachusetts 01109
Phone: [phone redacted]
Blessed Sacrament Church
40 Waverly Street
Springfield, MA 01107
(413) [phone redacted]
Springfield Cemetery
171 Maple Street
Springfield, MA 01105
[Note: The cemetery entrance is at the intersection of Maple St and Central St.
The entrance road looks like a driveway between two apartment buildings. There are two pillars with plaques that read "Springfield Cemetery."
The cemetery is NOT visible from the street.]
McClelland’s Florist
123 Academy Street
Chicopee, MA 01013 |
(413) [phone redacted]
[Note: please order flowers for the service no later than January 3rd, thank you.]
Details
Guests should feel free to bring a present for Eric Jr. if they care to as the viewing has been staged as a Christmas scene.
Gentlemen attending the service are requested to where white as opposed to dark shirts.
...............................
Organizer and beneficiary
Maggie Moffett
Organizer
New Haven, CT
Yokasta Cortorreal
Beneficiary