Help Luis Fernando Estevez's family honor him well

My father, Luis Fernando Estevez (03/12/1963 – 02/04/2021), was a tremendous father and a great husband. He was born in Neiva, Colombia to Carlos Eduardo Estévez and Maria Emilia Vargas Oliveira, and was the seventh of eight children. After finishing his secondary school, he served in the Colombian military before working in the government, where he met his wife, my mother Emma Fabregas.

Upon getting married and having their oldest child, Katherine, my parents realized that they wanted to come to the United States in search of a better life for their children. Thus, three decades ago, they left the comfort of their own homes without much to their names to live in another continent where they had no family besides that which they would raise: Katherine, Luis Eduardo (myself) and Christopher.

Growing up, I witnessed my father work tirelessly and face the myriad of struggles that many immigrants in the states experience with a resilience I could not even fathom. He never took shortcuts and always made an honest living. Though there were many moments when I saw him at the end of his rope due to financial hardship, he and my mom truly never gave up and instead, looked for whatever opportunities they could find for work – and I mean anything. He never once thought of himself before his family, and never complained about leaving his body and health on the line just to provide us with a roof over our heads and enough food to eat. And if that wasn't enough, I remember my dad still making it to all of my siblings' school or sporting events as well as mine, for even though he always had so much on his plate he never failed to be present and give us the love and support we needed. We have never really had much materially, but we have always felt so loved and cared for thanks to my parents.

Another thing I admire about my dad is his faith, which only got stronger and more unwavering the more trials he faced. Over the years, my parents learned to rely on God and grow in their relationship together when faced with adversity. Every obstacle my father faced in life, work, and marriage was overcome thanks to his incredible honesty and willingness to improve himself, as well as by appreciating the blessings in his life. He always shared God's love with others through acts of selflessness for his family and others, participation in several ministries at Church, and even through his friendly personality and goofy sense of humor that could light up any room – I don't know of anyone who could spend time with my dad and not spend it laughing. That faith and love that Luis Fernando developed over the years and shared with the world in so many ways will remain with us forever.

Today, Luis Fernando has left behind his loving wife, Emma, and their three beautiful adult children, the youngest being halfway through college, due to COVID-19. As a factory worker for the past couple of years, he did not have the luxury of working from home and staying far from the reaches of this pandemic that many do. Even after working a physically intensive job for six consecutive days every week and looking exhausted every time I saw him, or having to work on special days or holidays – he never once complained. The biggest lesson I have learned from my father is that happiness truly comes not from receiving, but from giving.

Now that we are struggling financially due to my dad's unforeseen funeral expenses, I recall how he had initially planned ahead for this day by purchasing a burial plot, but then had sold it in order to help put me and my brother through private high school. That selflessness, I've come to realize, is what truly gives one life and what inspires us to pay that sacrifice forward whenever we can. We are going to miss our loving father and husband so much, but we are strengthened by the love of God and the enormous gratitude we feel for him, and for those of you who have felt called to contribute.

It's not easy to ask, or admit when we are struggling, but right now we are underwater due these unexpected expenses. All we ask of you are your prayers and thoughts during this difficult time for the Estevez family. Just knowing that we are loved and being thought of has reminded us that we are not alone in this pain. If you feel called to contribute monetarily, we would greatly appreciate any and all help. Life has changed dramatically for us in a matter of days, but what will always stay with us is our trust in God and the love that has been shared with us throughout. From the bottom of our heart, thank you for your support and God bless.

Descanse en Paz, Papá. Estás en nuestros corazones por siempre. Te damos gracias por todo el amor que brindaste al mundo.