Family and friends will celebrate Isaiah Valpando’s 30th birthday with a Mariachi Mass on Sunday, Feb. 2 at St. Francis Xavier Church, l611 Logan Ave. in Pueblo.
Valpando was murdered on Sept. 2, 2015 when he was shot by an assailant who thought he was rival gang member. Valpando had no gang affiliations and his death was a tragic case of mistaken identity.
In the decade since his death, his parents have honored his memory by raising funds through motorcycle rallies and other events to help several thousand young people to attend college.
The following is an excerpt from a statement released by his parents prior to his Jan. 20th birthday.
“Happy 30th birthday in heaven. It’s been 10 years since you were tragically taken from us and it still hurts like it was yesterday. So many things have changed but our love for you remains stronger than ever.
We’ve created new wonderful memories of so many honoring you and all the scholarships we have awarded to help change our communities for the better.
We still remember your Mariachi performances and hold them deep in our hearts. As we listen to mariachi songs, we look up to the heavens imagining you performing with all the greats up there.
Our hearts are further broken into a million more pieces wishing we could celebrate your 30th birthday in person but we know this is just a dream.
We get signs from you on a daily basis and thank you for always reminding us you are near watching over all of us.
We cannot express how much we miss you, but we are paying it forward always in your memory.
Tell all our family and friends we all love and miss them. Until our time comes, enjoy heaven son. Forever missed and never forgotten.”
Eternally loved
Mom and Dad
