Osvaldo V. Magallanes

A Tribute to Our Father

To describe our dad or as many of you knew him: Luly, Mags, or Ozzi is to imagine walking into a garden. Everyone who knew him received a different part of the flower: a petal, a stem, a branch, or even a thorn. Each piece was uniquely him. As his children, we received a little bit of everything, perhaps with fewer petals than the rest, but we understand why. He was sculpting us, preparing us with the strength we need for this exact moment right now.

Because he was a man of rare honesty and bluntness, everyone carries a different perspective of him. He never filtered how he felt; you always knew exactly where you stood.

He was a pillar of strength who rose from humble beginnings, building a life of abundance through pure hard work and dedication. Due to the work of his hands, and the time he spent away from us serving in the Navy, Army, and Air Force, we never went without. Our dad found his greatest joy in ensuring those around him were cared for, he was always helping someone, as many know.

One person who received a petal from him described him as the most beautiful, genuine, sincere, and empathetic man they had ever met. This person described him as a "fragile explosive" waiting to be heard, from his childhood upbringing to his mid life journey and his traumatizing experience in Vietnam. To them, his demeanor was gentler than the one many of us knew.

Dad, you were a strong, giving man, and you are deeply loved. We will carry your memory with us always. We hope you truly knew just how much you were loved, appreciated, and respected.

His greatest source of pride and his most enduring legacy is the family he built. He is survived by his devoted wife, Ines Magallanes, who was the light of his life. His spirit lives on through his children, Osvaldo, Mitzy, and Karla Magallanes as well by his sons-in-law, Hector Hernández and Brian Ezrre; his daughter-in-law, Maria Magallanes, and his

beloved grandchildren, who will forever carry his lessons of love and character in their hearts.

“12 and a half, be safe and be smart, my silver fox!”