LI Man Who Died From Coronavirus At 29 Had 'Purest Soul'

AMITYVILLE, NY — A 29-year-old Amityville man recently died of the coronavirus and his family is hoping the tragedy will underscore the seriousness of the virus as cases soar across Long Island.

Ramon Garcia died Jan. 10. He also had focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, a rare kidney disease.

His brother, Fabian, told Patch Ramon was "the strongest and purest soul" and hopes his story will convince people to stay home and take measures to prevent the spread of the virus.

"I really loved my brother. He was my life," he said. "I just pray that people can realize how serious (the coronavirus) is and that every person is different."

At 17, Ramon's kidney stopped functioning. He went on dialysis and received a kidney transplant at Mount Sinai Hospital in 2008. In 2015, he lost the kidney and went on dialysis again. In 2019, he received another kidney transplant at a Northwell hospital and was put on a new lipoprotein apheresis treatment to protect the organ.

Despite his disease, Ramon graduated at the top of his class at Amityville High School and received an international business degree from the SUNY Farmingdale in December 2019.

Over Christmas, Ramon complained of a sore throat and then tested positive for the coronavirus. Four days later, he was in critical condition and taken to the emergency room at Good Samaritan Hospital Medical Center in West Islip, where he died.

Matthew Kalinowski, an old friend of Ramon's since second grade, wanted to find a way to help the family after his tragic death.

"Like many Americans, Ramon and his family have been struggling with the calamity brought on by COVID-19," Kalinowski said. "Ramon paid the greatest price. Knowing that he had kidney problems, he took extra precaution and it still wasn't enough."

Kalinowski started a fundraiser on GoFundMe to help Ramon's family. In less than a week, it has raised $5,269. The goal is to raise $9,000 for funeral expenses.

"Ramon was a selfless person with one of the brightest minds and an amazing grin," the GoFundMe reads. "Although not handed the greatest of fortune, he always had a reason to smile. One of his greatest pleasures in life was making his friends and family happy. Ramon was an avid reader and enjoyed art. Having undergone numerous surgeries throughout his life, one would expect him to be angry with the hand that he was given. Regardless he took it all in stride. Ramon was one of the strongest men I know and a loyal friend. "

In a letter, Ramon's mother, Fanny Figueruras, wrote how she admired her "lovely son."

"He was very positive, his laugh was so happy it made other people happy around him," she wrote. "I miss my son very much."

A viewing was held at the Powell Funeral Home in Amityville Monday night and a funeral was held Tuesday morning at the St. Martin Of Tours R.C. Church. Ramon will be buried at the Amityville Cemetery.

In addition to his mother and brother, Ramon is also survived by his father, Renzo Garcia, and his brothers, Renzo and Miguel Garcia.