Life hits you hard, often at the wrong time, and many times by surprise. Sometimes it’s as small as someone cutting you off on the freeway. Other times, it’s a sudden loss of a loved one. Unfortunately for my family and me, we just ran into the latter.

A week ago on April 7, 2023, my dad, Danilo Orias, passed away following a sudden, unexpected heart attack. We’re still emotionally reeling from his passing and to compound things, we’re finding that the costs for even a meager celebration memorial and burial are greater than we expected. Even if we were to settle for the bare minimum, it would still be a significant strain on us.

My dad affected many lives. As a Navy veteran, a Toastmasters featured speaker, leader, and coach, a student of the John Maxwell Leadership Course, and most importantly, a nephew, cousin, father, and husband, his influence will survive in all of us, and he deserves a fitting memorial service.

So I’d like to invite you, friends, family, acquaintances, and others, to please join us in celebrating the life of my dad and the legacy he leaves behind. If you’d be able to, we’d more than appreciate your donations.

If you’d rather use other means, please don’t be shy and reach out to me via email (mdorias82 @ Gmail. com) or social media (FB: Michael Orias; IG: mike_oreos). And if you could all please join us in, or continue to accompany us, in prayer. Dan’s absence still stings greatly, and your prayers truly do help bring us some peace.

I thank you in advance for your empathy and generosity. May the Lord bless you.

Aloha,

Mike, on behalf of Rhodora, Matthew, and Daniella