Fordham mourns the deaths of Maria Gonzalez and her sister, Maria Nunez, both University employees in Custodial Services; their parents Ana Julia Tejada and Jacobo Nunez; Jaslyn Gonzalez, daughter of Maria Gonzalez; and sisters Marlyn Rosario Nunez and Naily Rosario, both daughters of Maria Nunez. All seven were killed in an automobile accident on the Bronx River Parkway on Sunday, April 29.
“No worse tragedy can befall a family, and words are simply inadequate to convey the grief their loved ones must feel today,” Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president, wrote to the University community on Monday. “Therefore, I ask you to join with me in praying for the Gonzalez and Nunez families. I offer, too, my direct and heartfelt condolences to the friends and coworkers of the victims who work and study here at Fordham. I know the University community joins me in keeping you in our thoughts and prayers, as well.”
The University has established a fund on behalf of the Gonzalez and Nunez families. Anyone wishing to make a contribution can do so either in person or by mail. Checks should be made out to the Fordham University Disaster Relief Fund with the memo section of the check stating “Gonzalez/Nunez Family” and mailed or brought to:
Fordham University – Office of the President
Attention: Dorothy Marinucci
441 East Fordham Road
Administrative Building, First Floor – Rose Hill Campus
Bronx, New York 10458
For additional questions related to the fund or on making a donation, please contact the Office of the President at (718) 817-3000. In addition to individual donations, all of this week’s collections at the University Church will go toward the family fund.
A wake was held Thursday, May 3, at the Ortiz Funeral Home, 2121 Westchester Avenue, Bronx, New York, from 4 to 9 p.m.
The funeral Mass was held on Friday, May 4, at 9:45 a.m. at St. Raymond’s Church, 1759 Castle Hill Avenue, Bronx, New York. Burial for five of the victims, Maria Gonzalez, Maria Nunez, Jaslyn Gonzalez, Marlyn Rosario Nunez and Naily Rosario, will be at St. Raymond’s Cemetery, 2600 Lafayette Avenue, Bronx, New York, following the funeral service.
Ana Julia Tejada and Jacobo Nunez will be returned to the Dominican Republic for burial.
