If you live in Los Angeles and have ever asked me for help on a project, then it’s very likely that you knew my friend, Gustavo. He was the first person that I met here in Los Angeles, and my life here has been better and more fruitful because of his friendship. Gustavo and his wife, Elizabeth, have been family to Kristin and me. Elizabeth has held, watched over, and loved our babies. Gustavo helped us rebuild our home after a fire and has bailed me out countless times on projects at home and at work. Beyond that, Gustavo has been a steadfast friend, going out of his way over and over again for us and for many of our friends—because he was a good man.

Gustavo suffered an unexpected heart attack in the spring of this year. Unfortunately, some of the treatments meant to help his body deal with the effects of the heart attack exacerbated his preexisting diabetic condition, sending him into kidney failure.

Gustavo has been fighting for the last seven months. It has been difficult and lonely. His body has been in steady decline. I know that he wanted to do so much more and to take on many more projects; he told me so when I last talked to him.

I’m sad to say that he passed away this afternoon. Gustavo has always been there for me, and I’d like to do what I can to be here for him and his family now. None of this was expected. And there are many expenses. Gustavo planned for some of them, but his time was cut short. If you would like to help and are able to, he and I would appreciate it so much.