Hello everyone,

This past Friday, January 16th, 2026, my family and I had to say our goodbyes to my father, Carlos De La Paz.

My dad was the definition of a hardworking man. He poured his heart and soul into everything he did, and many in the Northeast, Ohio area came to know him through La Mesa, the restaurant he built from the ground up and Los Robles. To him, it was never just a business — it was a place of connection, laughter, and community. He took pride in feeding people, remembering faces, sharing stories, and making everyone feel welcome.

Long before La Mesa, my father’s roots were grounded back home in Mexico. He grew up ranching, working with horses, and learning the values of discipline, responsibility, and pride through hard work. Those lessons stayed with him his entire life and shaped the man so many people came to love and respect.

It was always his wish to one day return home to Mexico, and to be laid to rest on the land that raised him. Honoring that wish means everything to our family, and this fundraiser will help us cover the costs of his services and the process of bringing him home.

More than anything, we hope he is remembered for the person he was beyond his work: loving, charismatic, and endlessly warm. He brought joy to his customers, his friends, and most of all to his family. His presence filled rooms, and his kindness left a lasting impression on everyone lucky enough to know him.

We are incredibly grateful for the love, support, and generosity we’ve received during this difficult time. Any donation, no matter the amount, will mean the world to our family. If you are unable to give, sharing this page is just as appreciated.

Thank you for helping us honor his life, his roots, and his legacy.

As he always said — we’ll see you mañana.