Gerard Lenin Barreto

Our brother, Gerard's long journey is done. He was freed from his broken body on Saturday, April 28, 2012 at noon. Gerard passed away in the arms of of his loving sister, Myriam, and in the company of his loving brother-in-law, Tim Gilbert. With sorrow and gratitude we release our brother to God's Everlasting Love and the love of our parents, Richard and Myriam Barreto, his brother, Richard and niece, Amanda who proceeded him in death.

The youngest of four, Gerard Lenin Barreto, 52, "Jerry", was born on March 7, 1960, in Managua, Nicaragua. At the age of two, he came to America with his siblings to re-join their parents who had immigrated a year earlier. While still in Nicaragua, he and his brother, Richard, sisters, Virginia and Myriam, were cared for by their loving aunts Reynita and Antonieta. He grew up in Glendale, CA.

Gerard had his parent's entrepreneurial spirit and followed in their footsteps owning a clothing manufacturing business with his big brother, Richard. December 4, 1986, his youth was cut short at the age of 27. A horrific accident left him with traumatic injuries to his head and body. The doctors told us that if he survived his injuries, he would surly be left in a vegetative state. That was more than 25 years ago.

Over the past 25 years Jerry has smiled, laughed and cried. Through his strained and damaged vocal chords he has spoken the most important of words of all a thousand times; "I love you". "Thank you. I miss you. That's great!" were also said countless times in love and gratitude. He attended his brother's s wedding to Ingrid Oliu; held his brother's baby daughter, Amanda in his arms as well as his sister, Virginia's baby daughter, Isabella. His sister Myriam's daughter, Charlotte was always the apple of his eye. He lived in Lake Arrowhead with his loving parents and his guardian angel, Doña Guadalupe Ramos. He went on a plane ride to San Francisco to visit his sister Virginia and her husband Tudor were he toured the wine country, and sat on the beach under the Golden Gate Bridge on the Fourth of July to watch fireworks. He even went to Disneyland!

He never complained. And he had every reason to. But God's Grace shined upon him. There was an honor, humility and a kind of wisdom to Jerry that few of us will ever know. So he endured.
He bore the pain of his brother, Richard's untimely death. They had been inseparable all their lives. Jerry cried out loud upon the news.
Then there was the silent pain of his niece, Amanda's passing.
Tears streamed down his face when told of his mother's passing. She had lived for him, through him, never giving up hope. And he knew it.
The passing of his father may have been the final blow. Two weeks after his death, Jerry suffered a heart attack. He was never the same again.
Jerry passed away two years and two days after his father's death. The brothers may have been inseparable, but Gerard and his father were "One and the same person"-- as they would say to each other. They are now all together again.

Many ask, what is the measure of a man's life? Jerry believed it was love. By that measure, Jerry lived the fullest life; he loved unconditionally and was loved unconditionally. Thank you Jerry for showing us that all life is beautiful. All life is scared. That love knows no boundaries and judges not.

We will carry your love, strength and wisdom in hearts for all the days of our lives.

We love you Jerry.

Your loving Sisters,
Virginia & Myriam

Your nieces,
Charlotte and Isabella

Your brother-in-laws,
Timothy Gilbert and Tudor Applen

Your Guardian Angel,
Doña Guadalupe Ramos

Your sister-in-law,
Ingrid Oliu

Your Uncle Adam,
Aunts Ruth and Antonieta

All your cousins, and all who knew and loved you and cared for you throughout the years.

PLEASE DO NOT SEND FLOWERS.

SERVICES FOR GERARD BARRETO TO BE HELD:

Saturday, May 12, 2012
Two o'clock in the afternoon
Church of the Little Flowers
Forest Lawn Glendale
1712 S. Glendale, CA 91205

Family and friends dinner reception to follow immediately after services