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Community Corner

People Gather to Remember Robert Aguirre, Raise Money for His Children

Friends and family gather to remember Robert Aguirre, who died in 2010, and to raise money for his four children.

Dozens of friends and family members of Robert Aguirre packed into Dutchman’s Pizza on Wednesday night to celebrate the late Gilroy resident’s birthday, and to raise money for his four children.

Aguirre, who would have turned 30 years old on Wednesday, died in a car accident when he crashed into a light pole at the corner of Alexander and Sixth Street on May 27, 2010.

According to Jim Shuster, owner of Dutchman’s Pizza, 25 percent of Wednesday’s food sales are being donated to Aguirre’s children for personal needs, which he predicts will be several hundreds of dollars.

One Gilroy resident who was part of a separate dining party donated $200 outright to the cause, Shuster said.

Shuster, who was a personal friend of Aguirre, said the combined celebration and fundraiser is an effort to continue to honor Aguirre, who often occupied Dutchman’s and worked there for a short time.

“This event is an outpouring of love,” Shuster said. “There’s not a week that goes by that we don’t talk about him. Robert was a great guy with a big heart, and he always took care of his kids.”

Several family members and friends wore black and white t-shirts with Robert’s picture and the words “R.I.P. Robert Aguirre” printed on them. They danced around the parlor to the tunes of DJ J. Swift to honor their friend.

Aguirre’s mother, Sonia Rodriguez, said family and friends come together at the Gilroy eatery each year in order to keep her son’s legacy alive.

“We came here tonight to remember my son and share some good memories,” Rodriquez said.

Nicole Butcher, who had two children with Aguirre, said that Wednesday’s gathering was a time to remember Aguirre at his favorite hangout place.

“This was his place,” Butcher said. “Anytime there was a game or birthday party, he would come here.”

Butcher also commented on the strong relationship Aguirre had with Shuster, who also held a fundraiser after Aguirre's death to help the family pay for funeral costs.

“Robert and Jim had their own relationship, and Jim and everyone here was there for us when Robert died.”

There were several dollar bills pinned to the ceiling of the pizza parlor with Aguirre’s name written in black ink, a signature display at the 30-year-old restaurant.

“You’ll find Robert all over this place,”  Shuster said.

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