For Austin Papis-Tostado - A helping hand

Thank you for taking a moment to read about Jeff, and the legacy he leaves behind in his son Austin. Join us in keeping Austin and Jeff's family in your thoughts, and if you are able, make a contribution to help offset the expenses that may arise as he processes and finds solace in the weeks, months, and years to come.

Dear Friends,

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the unexpected passing of our colleague Jeff Tostado. Jeff was a “one of a kind” spirit. His quick wit and zest for life were among his very memorable traits. Our community is reeling from this loss and is heartbroken for his family, friends, co-workers, and everyone who had the opportunity to know Jeff. While this tragedy has touched us all, there is no one more impacted than his beloved son Austin. Please find a few words below from Austin‘s mother, Janet Papis, that we would like to share:

“Jeff was smart, generous, kind, and had a love for life that was infectious. He was dearly admired and loved. Of course, no one thought more highly of him than his son, Austin. Austin was so proud to call him Dad. They shared a deep bond with lots of silliness and laughs. These days, Austin enjoys reading comic books (the Dog Man series), collecting Pokémon cards, and can spend hours swimming at the pool or the beach. He heads into first grade this Fall, and over the course of the upcoming months, there will be a focus on ensuring he processes the grief around his father’s passing in healthy ways with the help of certified professionals. Contributions received will go towards therapies suited to make his transition into elementary school as smooth as possible despite this tragic loss. We extend our deepest gratitude for considering us during this difficult time.”

The sadness we all feel will take time to abide. We are blessed to have such a great community to look to and rely on for strength in times like these. While the road ahead will certainly be more difficult for Austin and his family given this devastating event, we all have an opportunity to make sure that something good comes from this as we show him, and each other, what community is all about.

-Thank You,
 The OrthoFi Team