Good times together were all too few and ever more precious going forward.

Kevin, you still visit me in the strangest moments. Mostly when I’m listening to Kraftwerk! I hope all of your friends and family are having a good year so far, enjoying some sunshine when it appears and putting good music in your ears.

Feeling grateful today for the fun and sweet times we all shared together. Your spirit is alive in our memories and in our hearts. And how cool that today is the Aries new moon and total solar eclipse?! It’s a special day and I’m cherishing all the goodness we experienced through you while sharing your special kind of magic earthside. Now that you’ve left this plane we don’t only celebrate you on your birthday, but every time we encounter something that reminds us of you we are experiencing a celebration of the heart. And that is teaching me to cultivate more of that celebration mindset in life. To celebrate all the souls we encounter or are reminded of daily. Thank you for the inspiration. Love you.

Sad that we're not able to share this day with you.
PS. The Live Oak made it through first winter - a good sign.

Dude (I totally miss you)

Like to imagine having been able to visit the Bonsai Garden at Lake Merritt with you on one of your walks. Trying my hand at growing a Coast Live Oak to train as bonsai in your honor.

Happy Birthday, Kevin. I’ll do something extra weird today in your honor!

Celebrate Kevin Day and my new home! April 24, 2022. All are welcome, spread the news <3

http://evite.me/fV5qbKZNQb

On this first anniversary, imagine that our Kevin was still here to remind us per one of his old voicemail greetings that "we knew what to do next". I think that would of course include celebrating the times we shared together.

Kevin left this world on January 19, 2021 at 3:19am. I like to think of this as his re-birthday. On this first anniversary of his passing, I will be sitting in the space where he drew his lasts breaths, lighting a candle and thinking of him and all the love and joy we shared. I will be doing this once at 3:19am and again at 3:19pm. I invite you to join me, wherever you are. We can all take a moment together to remember the positive impact he has had on us all and take strength in our collective love for this wonderful human. We are blessed for having known him. I leave you with these words from Paramahansa Yogananda that Kevin and I took great comfort in during his final days.

"Our real self, the soul, is immortal. We may sleep for a little while in that change called death, but we can never be destroyed. We exist, and that existence is eternal. The wave comes to the shore, and then goes back to the sea; it is not lost. It becomes one with the ocean, or returns again in the form of another wave. This body has come, and it will vanish; but the soul essence within in will never cease to exist. Nothing can terminate that eternal consciousness."

I was in 2 bands with Kevin from around age 16-18 roughly. He had never played drums, but figured he’d give it a go. I never played bass either, but same for me. We were the “rhythm section” for a band that sounded like someone threw a fork in a blender. He was a complete crusher, and I recall many times his hands were bleeding from his aggressive style. However, his presence when not playing music was always the gentlest guy, open-minded, and go-with-the-flow as you could get. Over the years since, we saw each other sporadically, and I know his life changed and evolved into different interests, but at the core Kevin was always himself. It has always been an honor to be his friend, and in his passing I am reminded that he remained that core guy, embraced the people around him, and continued to dish out all the music-nerd fanaticism that made him one of us.

I had the privilege of having Kevin as a roommate circa 2010. I remember him as a kind person with a green thumb, a knack for choosing cats (Exhibit A: Nola), an expansive taste in music and movies, and a unique and very funny sense of humor. Although we’d lost touch in the past few years, I was deeply saddened to learn that he was sick, and heartbroken to learn that he’d lost his battle with cancer. He was a good human and I liked knowing he was out there in the world. I was comforted to know he was surrounded by loved ones, particularly his wife, Natalia, during his final days, and I send my send my sincere condolences to Natalia and all of Kevin’s loved ones. May the many happy memories of Kevin bring peace and joy to everyone affected by his loss.

There will be a memorial service for Kevin on Sunday April 18, 2021.
We will meet at Aquatic Park in Berkeley at 11AM near the Dreamland for Kids playground. People will have a chance to share stories and memories of Kevin as we celebrate his life and 40th birthday. In true Kevin style, this gathering will be laid back and casual with beer and pizza.

Our thoughts and prayers goes out to you. We hope you find comfort in knowing that Kevin is in a better place now. We remember him as a sweet quiet boy when he was very young. A loving son to both his Mom and Dad. - this message is sent in behalf of the Mercado- Cebrian family.