On Sunday, April 10th, a large house fire took place within the 900 block of Ackerman Avenue, an inferno which could be seen from blocks away and resulted in 50 firefighters reporting to the scene. Our close friend from college, Andrew Mark, known by his friends as “Zee,” lived in the attic of this building, and was the main victim of the fire. As a result of the fire, he lost almost all of his personal belongings, and even more tragically so, the life of his dog, Louis.

Andrew is a recent Fall 2021 ESF graduate who is preparing to enter the job market following the conclusion of his lease. He was a member of the ESF soccer team during his time as a student, and is regarded by his friends as a kind, generous, and loving person. This love he had was extended to everyone he’s crossed paths with in life, but none more than his dog Louis. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, Zee has many times regarded Louis as the closest thing he has to family in the country, as his family still resides in Trinidad and Tobago.

Louis, a bulldog, was a kind and zany dog, well-known for his active personality and affinity for making friends wherever he went. In this time of need, Zee has found himself in a situation of immeasurable loss, having lost his best friend in life, along with clothes, electronics, sentimental items, and his home. In this overwhelmingly sad time, we’re asking members in and outside of the Syracuse community to open their hearts and help Zee begin to put it all back together in the face of tragedy. With your contributions, we can help Zee find a new place to live, a new set of clothes to wear, essential items for future employment such as a laptop, household essentials such as pillows, towels, and bed sheets, and most importantly of all, provide a reminder that his friends and family have his back.