Carlos was killed in a horrible accident on Saturday morning (3/28/26) while driving his normal overnight truck route. He was just 32 years old. Carlos worked with us at Gold Leaf Design Group, in Chicago, for six years, until 2017. His wife, Miriam, and Uncle, Robert, are part of the Gold Leaf family as well. Carlos introduced us to Miriam 12 years ago, and Robert has worked with us for 15 years. As a small company, we are all family and this has shaken us to our core.

Together, Carlos and Miriam have two young children: Lorenzo, age 5, and Camila, just 9 months old. They are loving and committed parents who have worked hard to create a beautiful future for their family. Their journey was just beginning. Carlos was a shining light and inspiration to everyone he met.

Carlos was a hands-on father and Miriam’s rock. They have a child with special needs. Carlos provided the stability and love to guide the family as they navigated the road ahead. He was a planner and a visionary, always working toward a brighter future. Carlos also had a great sense of humor. He made people laugh and always had a way of helping others see the bright side of things. Beyond his family, Carlos was known for his generosity. During the winter, he would collect coats and deliver them to people in need. He inspired barbers to join him in giving free haircuts to the homeless at night. His kindness touched many lives.

Now, Miriam and her children face a difficult future. They relied on two incomes to support their children, and cover the expenses that come with raising a special needs child. They do not live above their means, but life will be hard without Carlos. The support of Carlos’s community, which he gave so much to, will make a huge impact for Miriam and her kids. They were off to a strong start, and together, we as a community can ensure that the path Carlos and Miriam worked so hard to build continues. Please consider helping this family honor Carlos’s legacy and support them during this incredibly difficult time.