Memorial Bench for Julio C Ramirez in Buffalo, NY

Hi my name is Kari Quimpo, a friend of Julio Ramirez's. We are applying for a commemorative bench in Julio's name through the Buffalo Olmsted Parks Conservancy (BOPC). This bench will cost $5,000 in total and will be erected in August 2023, according to the Gift Coordinator at BOPC. So far, we have raised close to $1,000. We are asking for $4,000 to help us cover the remainder of the cost.

We plan to have the bench in Delaware Park by Hoyt Lake or on Bidwell Parkway, near where we used to live on Elmwood. The location will be determined by what is available when we submit the total amount with the application.

As many people already know, Julio loved Buffalo, NY. Julio’s adventure in Buffalo began in 2014. He graduated from the University at Buffalo with a dual bachelor's degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences and Psychology. Julio then graduated with a dual master's degree in Social Work and Public Health.

While in school, Julio worked as a Resident Advisor in Goodyear Hall, an employee at HomeGoods, an intern at the Rural Outreach Center, a frontline greeter at Kenmore Mercy Hospital during the height of Covid, and as an advanced placement social work intern at ECMC. He lived on UB's South Campus, in University Heights at Axis 360, and most recently in Elmwood Village. No one is sure if Julio even understood football, but he was a proud Bills Fan. He definitely didn’t understand hockey but frequently cheered on the Sabres with friends at the KeyBank Stadium. Julio loved Buffalo and was loved in Buffalo.

We lost Julio too soon. With the investigation still ongoing, Julio's friends and family take comfort in doing whatever we can to help his memory live on. Please consider donating to this fundraiser to help us permanently honor him in The City of Good Neighbors. Thank you.