Anthony Rosario was the kind of guy who enjoyed helping people in the quietest ways. Never looking for praise or recognition. He just did it anyway.
At McDonald's he saw a mother trying to split a few meals among all her children. He overheard the mother explain to her still-hungry kids she didn't have enough money to buy more. So what did Anthony do? He quietly slipped $5 to the eldest, a 13-year-old boy. "Go get yourselves something," he said.
Another time he took a walk with his sibling when a hub cap flew off a car and hit his sister's leg. Their brother laughed. But not Anthony. He hoisted his little sister on his back and carried her the three miles home.
That was Anthony: a helper, a mender, someone who was ready to fix a problem at hand.
At his funeral friends and family filled a large cardboard poster with different memories, many of which related to how he had helped them. One friend wrote about the first time she met Anthony. She cried by herself as fellow high school students passed her in the halls, simply ignoring her. But not Anthony. He knelt down and comforted her.
They didn't know each other but that didn't matter. Because that was Anthony.
When people needed their car fixed, he fixed it. He loved cars and motorcycles and spent the last two years selling cars at North Hollywood Toyota. When people needed a haircut, he cut it. When his mother needed something from the grocery store, he bought it. And he never complained.
Anthony died July 30, 2009 of swine flu at age 28, a week before his August birthday. His mother says he had asthma as a child, but was healthy before he was admitted to the Providence Holy Cross Medical Center. He stayed in the hospital three weeks after being admitted with 103-degree temperature. The hospital struggled to keep his temperature down and could not figure out exactly what ailed him. While doctors tested him for a series of different sicknesses, including swine flu, they also gave him a long treatment of antibiotics. The death certificate says he died of adult respiratory distress syndrome and H1N1 virus.
After his death Anthony's brother found a poem saved on Anthony's computer. The family reprinted the poem on key chains and T-shirts, which they wore for the funeral. The poem seemed to describe the way he lived his life, "The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway. Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway."
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We in the Rosario family will try very hard and not remember the past as much this year, after the lost of our son which caught us completely off guard and suddenly. The psychological insight to the emotional response after losing someone so dear is anger and guilt, parents take on truckloads of guilt saying what happened , why us, we were good parents.? But as my wife Anna and I look back we did as much as any parent does when raising five kids. That's giving all the love possible to each without prejudice. Even when they become adults. We understand our time on earth is limited, a reality which we all forget. And even diseases which kill our flesh, can't kill the most important things.
It can't destroy our spirit, can't kill or destroy our soul, can't kill or destroy our love, faith, hope and our memories either. I know God loves us very much, for I am a testament of this. He had me go through some things in the past to teach me some very important lessons. So I know there's a Supreme Being.
The Rosario family will find rest and peace in him. I also know he teaches perseverance and hope in our sufferings. The most beautiful things in life come to us through death, this I say through my personal experience. May all have a very welcome new year. God Bless.
Thank you all at Neon Tommy and Annenberg.
Mourning a lost child never gets easier and it shakes the very foundation of our living. When Anthony past all we believed comes into question and we only understand our lives after we have suffered such
disappointment of losing a love one. After the death of AJR, however, we find ourselves thrust into a period where while there is no foretelling the future, we suddenly have no plans, and our dreams have been shattered. How different this is from the sadness we feel when an older person dies, But the death of our son Anthony attacks our understanding of life's rhythm . One thing is when you come home and tell your family you no longer have a job, and how difficult its going to be making ends meet or for that matter making the mortgage payment. I would give ten houses, ten jobs, even a limb or my life just to have my son back home with his mother and the rest of the family.This is an excerpt from Charlotte Mathes' book, called, And a Sword Shall Pierce Your Heart Moving from Despair to Meaning After the Death of a Child.
Anthony just be there waiting for me when my time comes, we all miss you son,and we will always carry you in our heart and mind. Love you.
Hi Rosa,
I would love to do a profile on Lisa Yamashiro and tell the story of her life. What is the best way for me to reach you or her family and friends? Can you provide me with a phone number or e-mail address? Thank you so much.
You are missing another great story: Lisa Yamashiro. I knew this girl since she was 13 years old, she was my son best friend. She was a wonderful girl who love her family and my son very much. Rest in peace dar Lisa.
Anthony ....... What a great story about a great man! I am so glad that we had the opprtuniy to spend the time that we did with our family. The fun that we had camping and the many trips to vegas. Wow it's still to hard to say good bye.... I often find myself emailing him to see what he's up to and there is no reply...thank you for showing who my cousin truly was
Jessica and I are happy to know you all enjoyed the article.
Thank you for letting us into your lives and home.
Anthony seemed like a wonderful person.
I love the story about Anthony, that is only half of it. Anthony has touch soooo many people lives he is like a wave making ripples in every ones lives and hearts, I still can't believe he is gone...he was a brother from another mother to me...Anthony I will always remember you impersonating Elvis, and always protecting me and Jay...I love you very much.....and i will look forward to the day to see you in heaven one day!!!!
Anthony was the second to oldest child out of 5 kids. I must say being the middle child, Anthony was my protector and anthony was always there for me. I truely do believe that God put him here with us for his short period time to show not to judge someone by the way that they look and love everyone equally. He was the most selfless and giving person that anyone had ever met. When Anthony was in the hospital, every time we went into the room to visit him, there was this Sense of calm. Never once could we imagine outlives without Anthony. My life will never be the same i miss him so darely. The one thing that i want the world to know about my brother is that he loved and treated everyone with love and kindness. He will forever be in our hearts and not a day goes by that i dont think or miss him. See you soon Antho. i love you always.
Anthony was a wonderful and Caring guy. This article was written beautifully and showed people who even didn't know him what kind of a man he was to his family and friends. He's now in heaven looking down at all the special people in his life. He will be missed.
First of all I want to take this time to Thank you for sharing my brothers story.
Second, we were and are so blessed to have Anthony as part of our family. He was a blessing, he was an angel among us and most important, he was an inspiration to everyone that has every crossed his path in life.
Anthony lived his life everyday as if it was his last day. He did as he pleased, he came and went when ever he wanted but most important, he loved you like it was his last breath.
Anthony had a duty to the man upstairs. I truely believe Anthony was lent to us for a short time. He was a lent gift from "god" His mission was to direct and show us how to live life. It didn't matter who you were or how much money you had, all that mattered to Anthony was that you were his friend. When you became his friend, you became his family.
Family was the root to Anthony's heart he would have done any and everything for his family. The best way to describe Anthony is three words " Family and Loyal"
Only Time- It's not how, it's when... These are the word we used to share with each other all the time...
See you soon Brother Love you..
First of all I want to take this time to Thank you for sharing my brothers story.
Second, we were and are so blessed to have Anthony as part of our family. He was a blessing, he was an angel among us and most important, he was an inspiration to everyone that has every crossed his path in life.
Anthony lived his life everyday as if it was his last day. He did as he pleased, he came and went when ever he wanted but most important, he loved you like it was his last breath.
Anthony had a duty to the man upstairs. I truely believe Anthony was lent to us for a short time. He was a lent gift from "god" His mission was to direct and show us how to live life. It didn't matter who you were or how much money you had, all that mattered to Anthony was that you were his friend. When you became his friend, you became his family.
Family was the root to Anthony's heart he would have done any and everything for his family. The best way to describe Anthony is three words " Family and Loyal"
Only Time- It's not how, it's when... These are the word we used to share with each other all the time...
See you soon Brother Love you..
fortunate and thankful to have had him as a cousin. He was one of a kind!! Much Love!
What a wonderful heart warming and heart breaking story!!!
We need more people like Anthony Rosario and like the 2 writers to publicize good deeds instead of bad deeds.
Thanks to both of you, and keep up the good work.