Memorial Walk & Fundraising for San Bruno Icon Bernabe

3). I will be making a sign for me and my family to carry on the walk, I would love to see as many signs of honor and love as we can possibly get.

4). I know that Barnaby loved the San Bruno bars so after the walk, if you would like to gather at one of them to continue honoring Barnaby, please do so….but PLEASE do NOT drink and drive!!!

5). If you are unable to join us for the walk, please honor Barnaby wherever you may be that day by waving & smiling at everyone you pass. A smile from a stranger can totally the course of one’s day!!!

Family raising funds for memorial

The unexpected death of Bernabe has left family scrambling to raise money to cover his memorial services. Please consider donating, every dollar helps! Bernabe’s niece, Karissa Ishere, his brother David’s daughter, has set up a GO FUND ME page and is asking for our help. Karissa writes

‘On Sunday, July 6th, 2014, Rose Jose received the phone call no one wants to pick up. It was the San Bruno Police Department baring shocking and difficult news.

Bernabe Jr. Latorre Lactawen, son of the late Bernabe and Salome Lactawen, had been hit by an oncoming vehicle during his daily walk and was rushed to the nearest hospital to undergo immediate surgery.

Despite medical efforts, Bernabe suffered from head trauma and internal bleeding. He did not survive the accident and passed away an hour later.

Not only is the family struggling to absorb the news, but we are also scrambling to cover the costs of an appropriate memorial.

Please donate whatever you can to his cause, we greatly appreciate anything and everything as we cope with this loss.’

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Community remembers

The outpouring of love and sharing of comments were amazing on Facebook including this special personal postfrom Rose Jose on Victoria’s Wave & Walk Event page

”Thank you all” for your kind hearts and support. The family greatly appreciate it very much for all you’ve done. Especially pictures of Bernabe “Walk and Wave” and the corner on Jenevein has touched us deeply as well. “Hi” I’m( _____________)Bernabe’s sister, “My Friends!”

Below we are sharing just some of the hundreds of comments that were shared in Bernabe’s memory on Facebook just on our Everything South City page. Please add your thoughts in our comments and please help with donations and joining the Friday Walk & Wave event. There are so many more on Karin Cunningham‘s San Bruno Life page as well as other memorial pages set up in honor of this amazing man.

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Barnaby as we remember him, always smiling
Photo Fernando Hackworth

Everything South City; Bernabe may have left this world way too soon, but he left it a better place. We thank him for the lessons learned, what a huge different a smile and wave can make.

Leticiaa Solis Jorge PeeMac Hernandez Maria Lorenzana Isn’t this the guy at the taco truck that kissed my hand, and gave me the color paper with eggs on it? haha.. Aww, so sad he was such a sweetheart !

Angelique Presidente that sucks poor guy

Shirley Bayne Rest in peace, Barnabe. It says a lot for the San Bruno community, the way people always looked out for him and gave him so much love. What an awful way to die.

Maria Lorenzana Yeah its him he gave me candy when i was like 8-9 months pregnant

Joey Bernal Rip

William Miller Isn’t this the same man that had the dog with the sign that said have a nice day

Trina L. Drotar William, I remember that fellow. Not sure about the answer, though.

Jonna Perez Murray This is sad! I have a question though and don’t want to come off being disrespectful but why on earth would the ambulance take him all the way to SF General from San Bruno? There were much closer hospitals?

Amy Alberto Kuchherzki Good question. SFGH is a trauma center.
Most serious accidents like this, are being treated at SFGH.

Meg Simi It may be that SF General has an outstanding Trauma center… just a personal opinion …

Judee Potsie @Jonna Perez Murray , SFGH is a trauma center & the closest one would be Stanford

Jonna Perez Murray Thank you Judee Potsie and Amy Alberto Kuchherzki! That makes sense and I didn’t know that!

Edwin Narvaez Arnel Laxa Bian Beeboi Che-urng man this sucks.. RIP Barnaby. I remember every day at San Mateo Ave “Are you working?” and then taking the newspaper. Very sad

Trina L. Drotar This is extremely sad.

Eunice Figueroa Awww man that’s so sad.

Jonathan Miranda He would come in our church n chill. After church we would buy him food and he would tell us about movies wrestling and such. He will always be the WWE CHAMPION OF SAN BRUNO

Glenn Crespo Thats the guy who hung out at BJ’s at Tanforan correct??? RIP

Chri St RIP Barnabe/Champ/Batman! You are a sweet soul whose trail left nothing but love and positivity. You will be remembered fondly by all who knew you!

Jorge Junior He used to hang out at the bar Newells on san mateo ave all the time. He was a liitle nuts but everyone was cool with him.

Eileen Hickman Jonna Perez Murray SF General is a trauma hospital and deals with extensive injuries such as major vehicle accidents, gun shots, stabbings, etc. Other ERs are not equipped to handle those types of emergencies.

Jami Borusko Jonna SF general has the best trauma center in the bay. Jessica Dominguez I can’t believe you knew Barnabe!!!!! I once got on my hands and knees and dance battled that kid… I think I still have a teddy bear he gave me

Natasha Collins RIP, please share info on his services when it is known

Alichia Siguenza Estrada Sad , he was the first person who always walk me to my school from San Bruno all the way to ssf school it take me time to understand what he was saying, until I learned English, but he always find a way to make me . He was soooo funny,:-(,

Kris Peradotto Got to love barnabe he was a funny guy allways can make your night out a fun one

Ana R. Garcia-Alvarado Aww that’s so sad I just drive on El Camino in SB and noticed a memorial set up near there… That must of been for him RIP!

William Lopez Yep he’s the guy that hung out at BJ”‘s. RIP

Muriel Pleasic Peninger Was that the guy who had the dog hold the sign?

Murad Eweis AlexJoshua

Muriel Pleasic Peninger Oh how terrible. Prayers coming.

May Tomas-Barlaan I think I saw him once at Seniores pizza

Ale Novelo Always a sweetheart waving at us !!!! RIP !!!!

Rosa Martinez I remember him. He would make my day with his wave and Big Smile. Rest in Peace.

Karen Ridgeway-Viera Oh so very sad! RIP Barnaby! You were and will be remembered always!

David Zocca He was an Awsome guy just wanted a smile and a wave back. There will be a get together and 40s bar in San Bruno on Friday where he would always come and hang out. Rip buddy

Steph Flores What time?

Paul Rosales How sad. I always saw him at the end of the bar at BJ’s. Life is short.

Bernadette Supple Rip, so sad

Christine Vasquez An event was started for Bernard in San Bruno. Don’t know how to repost but did put it on my timeline

Christine Vasquez Walk & wave for Bernard is title of the event Walk & Wave for Bernabe…San Bruno’s Champion

Everything South City Thank you Christine Vasquez

Jessica Greeneyez Hembry Always a great spirit when we would go to Chilis

Erika Rhinehart Its so nice to see this photo of him…..I rubbed his hand and kept talking to him that he would be ok while he laid dying……he looks like such a sweet guy!

Kelly Duran Fry How kind of you to comfort him. I hope he wasn’t in a lot of pain. Poor guy. We are very grief stricken. Was he able to say anything or did he even know what happened? Did he cross against a red light or did he have the right if way? How were the people who hit him? Thanks

Shirley Bayne Omg thank you for being there for him in his last moments. You have no idea how many people you are comforting just with those words

Marisol Mayorga Omg so sad i am sure you are in some kind of shock but he was in good hands laying next to you, poor guy.

Hal Cantor Yes I know him. That’s fucked up he couldn’t hurt a fly. He always a happy guy hope they find the hit run driver

Erika Rhinehart The driver stayed at the scene….he did not run.

Bernadette Meyer He hung out at Chili’s as well…they would always give him food..real sweet guy

John C. Baker Need a dislike or hugs button on Facebook for stuff like this.

Angel Goodman Very tragic.

Mark Jeffrey Barlaan I know this guy!! See him all the time at bjs tanforan watching the giants game! Rip bud

Nymfa Josephine Maquilan Peterson i always see this man, waving and so proud of his belt

Jerry Newland He was a San Bruno Icon. He definitely made many acquaintances thru the years. Such a sad ending of a life that made many smile!

JoAnn Beltrame Holden RIP

Mareth Vedder Sad news.

Penny Sharpe I just saw him in Red Robin having an ice cream rootin for the giants. Kept a yelling “GO GIANTS… GO GIANTS!!!!”
Poor guy.

Glen Wandersee My Condolences,so tragic,ive definetely seen Barnaby before,this is awful news

Erika Rhinehart He was severely injured and not moving except for his head a little…. It was twitching … I do not think he was conscious but I could just tell he was a sweet soul so I had to comfort him … The driver was in shock and stayed by his car until they could question him. People said he crossed a red light. It’s so nice to know that people liked him so much. Strangest thing but I could feel that from him…. I just hope if he was conscious he could feel my hand and hear my voice and it helped!

Everything South City As tragic as this is, he was lucky to have such a caring person at his side. {ksw}

Kiki Love Thank you so much for doing that. He is truly a great guy and we appreciate you staying with him. we all loved him for his uniqueness and wonderful personality. God Bless you and thanks for being his angle that day. i am pretty sure he did hear your voice and it helped him a lot. much love!

Abegail De Los Santos It so good to see how you all enjoyed his company and knew who he was on the streets. He was my uncle n he was always a happy guy and was always proud of his wrestling belt that he brought to the family parties all the time. He loved all the super heroes n claimed himself to be Batman and the Hulk. He absolutely loved wrestling n would bring tapes that he had for us to watch all the time. RIP Uncle Boy aka Bernabe

Everything South City Deep sympathy to you Abegail De Los Santos and to your family. Please let us know if there is anything we can do. And any service information, if possible. Thank you. {ksw}

Jacqui Pastoral-Conclara Our condolences to your family, Abegail.

Shirley Bayne Thank you for posting. Your uncle was a celebrity in San Bruno and I know lots of people loved him. It’s pretty remarkable actually, the impact he had on so many. I’m so sorry for your family’s loss.

Kiki Love this is so sad abs….i can’t believe this…let me know when everything goes down. I hope i can make it out there….how is auntie rose and the family doing….Sarah hasn’t given me much info…text me when you can

Karin Cunningham Thank you, Erika!

Malissa Netane This is so unfortunate! Seen Bernabe a few times over the years. Like my cousin MatekuoLava Ofa said, he was “San Bruno’s Champ!” Thank you Miss Erika for your kindness, I’m sure he heard you. My condolences to you Abegail and your family.

Thomas Uniacke God bless him

Sal Camilleri Condolences to all affected by his passing.

Yesenia Valadez RIP

Darlene Cendali Voto Said a prayer when I drove by the shrine o flowers and balloons. RIP Bernabe. Will miss seeing your smile and wave!

Rosie Rosales Oh no! My Dad & I would see him at BJ’s in Tanforan; always smiling & had a happy word for all the staff. That is so sad.

Erlinda Anderson Such a shame-RIP, sending prayers.

Saira Cardoza RIP

Eva Pena I always saw him at hooters after UFC fights and at Red Robins. He was always so happy and gave hugs to the girls. The hooter girls would bring him fries and he would be all happy. He dropped money once and I picked it up and gave me the biggest thank you ever! I will miss seeing him around so happy. Never once saw him sad R.I.P

Abegail De Los Santos Thanks everyone. This out pouring support from you all means a lot. I will let u know details on services once my family knows when it will be and where

Vangie Lewis Cade He used to come to Crossroad Christian Center on San Bruno Ave. He was the nicest young man would never hurt a sole. He will be missed. RIP Big B.

Jennifer Del Rosario he always had his WWE heavyweight championship belt!!

Jeff Stone Crap, he was pretty cool

Shannon Meyer Always saw him walking and in chilis. Always a happy guy so sad! Thanks for sharing

DaeNyte Weathersby Uncle boy was the man and always remembered you it didn’t matter who you are if you spoke to him he would remember your story like it was yesterday……. Some thought he was scary some thought he was on drugs but to read his impact on all of yall really brought tears to my eyes to see he played a part in the community. For those who accepted him and embraced his happy personality I thank you for your love. Wrestling was his favorite he has thousands of VHS from the 80s and 90s that he would force us to watch throughout parties. I thought he woud never die…..I know he is in a better place and my auntie will definitely keep yall updated on services

Everything South City Thank you DaeNyte. Deep sympathies to you and your family.

Brie Wolf Doing a “celebration of life” at 40s this Friday night people

Valerie Ortiz he was the heart of San Bruno one of a kind

Joyce Irene I use to see him at hooters too. Very nice guy waving all the time. Saying go Niners whenever he sees my car. RIP

MatekuoLava Ofa I never knew his name, I just called him champ. Sad that it took his passing to finally know his name. R.I.P Bernabe aka San Bruno’s Champ

Fjavier Aguirre Sanchez RIP

Marisol Mayorga I dont know him but hearing all the stories makes me so sad. And happy at the same time to hear nothing but good things. May he rest in peace w the angels.

Scott Macneil My condolences goes out to his family

Ric Dis Rip Champ!

Sheryl Lopez-Farragher I wish I could’ve met him. He sounded like a sweet soul. God bless his family and may he rest in peace.

Ronda McShane Tracy BradleyJoanne Galea so sad. Going to be different not seeing him walking around smiling and saying HIIIIIIIII!

Florence Crittendon R.I.P

Angela Fragomeni Barnaby was a sweet, happy, kind, funny soul that walked in and out of strangers lives making everyone of them smile.
My condolences to his family and Erika, I’m glad you were there with him. SBFD did everything they could to save him. That took the strength of an Angel to be by his side.

Susan Simmons-Grimsrud Very sad! God bless him!

Ashif Hakik When I tended bar at Forty’s years ago is when he started hanging out there. He always used to come in and order a coke, and just hang out. Always neat to see those that, at first, found him off putting, slowly start to smile and order him another coke. No matter where I went over the years, even after I stopped hanging in the area, when he saw me, it was a big show and a loud “MY FRIEND!!!!! ASSSHHH!!! MY FRIEND!”. I don’t think there was ever anyone I’ve ever met that was just so happy to see everyone he knew, which is why I bet he frequented the places he did. Just to see his friends, which was everyone.

Gretta Musayelyan Grant Musayelyan

Jacquelyn Gibbs God bless him, R.I.P.

Gina Morton awwww RIP Barnaby!

TheMath Guru RIP

Mary Earle We used to see him on our walks…when we were getting fireworks in 2013 he struck up a random convo with my husband because of the shirt he was wearing…always waved and hollered hello when he saw us after that…rest in paradise Barnaby…

Lisa Carrara Oh my gosh this really breaks my heart!! I’ve seen him for YEARS walking along El Camino!! The kids always got a kick out of his high energy and how much personality came of him when he would wave to us!! He had such a great soul!! I’m truly going to miss him!!

Kerry Flynn That’s messed up!

Christine Siguido Omg. That’s the guy that shows a heavy weight belt to everyone and wants to shake everyone’s hands. I seen him a month or two ago in front of UFC gym, he said hi to me and I seen him at quicklys San Bruno 8 months ago. Sad. Whoa.

Tess Sebastian-Claros Awe so sad! RIP to his beautiful soul.

Emily Roberts Our family is so sad and shocked to hear of his passing. He lived close by and I always enjoyed passing him while out walking. His memory shines bright as he always did. Sending love to his family and many friends.

Gianel M. Seisa Jessica Joy Seisa that’s so sad!

Kenneth Michael Choye Heartbreaking…

There were nearly 300 acknowledgements on our ESC FB page alone and above are some of the comments. It’s amazing how much this one man is loved by so very many, how many lives he touched through his kindness and presence. We all should be so blessed.

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