This tribute is dedicated to my cousin Braulio Lozano. He meant the world to me and my family. Braulio was a young and very funny loving guy. His family meant the world to him. He had an infectious laugh that you can hear through the walls. His quick wit, and sarcastic words, still make me laugh out loud when I think of him. Braulio was the youngest of four brothers and a big brother to his sister. Braulio always helped his family with anything that was needed. He looked out for his nephews and nieces. He especially took care of me and my sister. He would always take our side and would go against my mom and would say “Nah, the girls have the right to play Nintendo whenever they want.” It’s because of Braulio, that he gave us a Nintendo Switch for Christmas one year. He loved spoiling us with sweets; junk food and giving us advice that maybe was inappropriate but it always came from a place of love and protection. He loved movies and would shout out titles or quotes for my sister and I to guess where it’s from. He was always quoting movies or shows to us and I learned about classic movies that way. I miss his laughter and his shouting. He talked very loudly because, being the youngest of four brothers, he had to speak up in order to be heard. Honestly, I don’t think he ever outgrew that because he just loved talking loud to get his point across.
Braulio was a hard worker and helped support his family financially. He had great respect for his parents because he would do anything and everything for them. His mom Angela is my mom’s oldest sister, so losing Braulio was a huge shock to our little family. Our family is very close and we live near one another so we were always in touch. Braulio always made sure we were having fun or feeling comfortable wherever we were. He would check up on us and make sure we were okay. He made us laugh but also told us when we were out of line. Braulio never missed a Birthday or family event because he knew that family was everything. At family gatherings, you could find him huddled in a corner with his older brothers, telling jokes and teasing each other. All I could hear would be his laughter, his loud infectious laughter. Thinking of it makes me smile. I have recordings of his laughter, and I play it sometimes just when I need to put on a smile.
Braulio attended and graduated from here, at De La Salle. When I walk in here, I immediately imagine Braulio walking through these same halls. I try to imagine him walking with his friends and laughing while he rushes to class. As I remember my cousin Braulio, I remember him with sadness because he was so young at 28 years old, he lost his life.
Braulio traveled around the country installing solar panels on houses. He finally settled back home to Chicago. But on February 2, 2024, he tragically fell to his death while working on a house installing panels. I will never forget when my mom got the phone call. I couldn’t believe it, and I still can’t.
Braulio brought so much joy to everyone. He was caring and so funny. I think about all the things he didn’t get to do, like going to college, getting married, having kids, or owning his own house. His dreams weren’t fulfilled. It’s not fair. My aunt Angie is having a really hard time, which is understandable. No parent wants to outlive their child. I wish I could take her pain away, but I know she needs to grieve. I miss my cousin Braulio so much, and I wish he had never gone to work that day.
Sofia Rivera Granado – Mother McAuley Liberal Arts High School – DMSF Class of 2029
Photo Credit: Sofia Rivera Granado’s Tia Angie