Remembering Nico Baca a year later

This Sunday, we gather as family and friends at Kennedy Park in Union City to honor and celebrate the life of my beloved nephew, Nico Joseph Baca. It has been a year since we lost him, and though time moves forward, his presence remains with us.

Nico was more than just a nephew; he was a light in all our lives—compassionate, funny, and kind beyond measure. His mom, especially, carries a pain no parent should ever know. She loves him with every part of her heart, and every day, she feels his absence so deeply. His sisters, too, are heartbroken, missing him beyond words. And his brother, Manuel—though they were cousins, they were like brothers—has felt so lost without him. Nico was his anchor, his go-to, and without him, Manuel feels incomplete, searching for a piece of himself that’s gone.

Despite the pain, we come together to celebrate who Nico was—his love, his joy, and the legacy he left behind. As we gather on Sunday, we honor his memory, his laughter, and the love that will never fade. Nico, you are forever missed, and we will never forget you.