Photo: GoFundMe
The family of a 28-year-old father who died while trying to jump over a turnstile at a New York City subway station is remembering him as a “vibrant” and “loving” person.
Christopher De La Cruz died on Sunday morning while trying to hop over a turnstile at the Forest Hills-71st Ave subway station in Queens, the New York Police Department confirms to PEOPLE. He was declared dead at the scene.
“Chris was a vibrant, loving, free-spirited character. He was a son, a father, a friend, and my brother,” Brian Da La Cruz wrote on aGoFundMepage, which was set up to create a college fund for Christopher’s 4-year-son Neithyn. “In the wake of his death I have been reminded why I have been so lucky to have been his brother. He was the kindest soul.”
The campaign has raised more than $17,000 as of Thursday afternoon.
On the page, Brian remembered the bond his brother and nephew had with each other.
“If there was one thing in this world that my brother wanted to be remembered for, it was his love for his son,” he wrote.
“Anyone who has ever spoken to Chris, for even a brief moment has probably seen my nephews [sic] face or heard about the love my brother had for him,” Brian continued.
A photograph posted on the page shows De La Cruz and Neithyn at a merry-go-round.
“There’s never really words to describe the loss, especially as his brother,” Brian told theNew York Daily News. “There’s nobody to replace him or his love of his son. It really seemed like things were looking up and unfortunately this happened.”
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Neithyn’smother alsopaid tribute to De La Cruz in a message posted to the campaign page.
“Christopher the light you shined was beyond this world; your contagious laughter, your whole aura radiated love to its core,” she wrote. “The purest of souls, because you would share whatever you had, even like splitting the last slice in half. Your son will always know of your name, your love & all the love you ever gave him & will continue to give him from beyond this dimension. I love you.”
source: people.com
