My father was a strong-willed man who passed away early this morning after several years of fighting things such as kidney failure, prostate cancer, leukemia, and diabetes. In his final days, he lived with me, my mother, and his sister Patricia, who has been sick all her life and is currently in rehab trying to get better. Despite his many health challenges, he always put his family first and tried to protect us from worry. He asked for very little and did not want to be a burden to us. My mother found him this morning after kissing him good night, and while his passing was sudden, we are grateful that he was able to go peacefully at home, surrounded by love. His other sister, Victoria, is coming in for the funeral to say goodbye. His passing comes just two days before my other brother Adam Arteaga’s birthday, and we find comfort in knowing he is meeting Adam in heaven. 

He leaves behind myself, Antoinette Elayyan, his daughter, and my brother Richard Arteaga. He was also a devoted grandfather to Elissa Yaqoob and Ciara Arteaga. Our family is heartbroken by his loss, as he was truly the rock that held us together. He was loved by many throughout his life, and his memory will live on in all of us. 

We are reaching out to our friends, family, and community for support during this incredibly difficult time. The funds raised will help cover funeral and memorial expenses, as my father did not leave behind much. Anything you can contribute is deeply appreciated as we try to honor his memory and give him the farewell he deserves. Thank you for your kindness and support