Words from our Warehouse and in-house printing teams (Bernie, Moi, Gino, Christina, Leticia, Edgar, Miriam, and Veronica):

A friend that passes leaves sadness, melancholy, anxiety, and loneliness, but the memory of you will always remain with us. Rest in peace, Dago.

Words from Donna:

What does one say about losing a member of the family? There are really no words to express the loss that I feel today and I'm sure will feel for a long time to come. There's also the thought of why? And there is no reasonable answer. So then I'm left with thinking about Dago and his wonderful spirit that always came through his whole being. He was a beautiful, handsome man true, but that beauty came from within. He always had a hug, and a smile full of warmth, hope, happiness mixed with a bit of mischief. Thank you Dago for being in my life and reminding me to take the time to smile and reach out to those around me with hope, love and fun. I will miss you everyday my friend.

Words from Zac:

The only thing that ever bugged me about Dago was that he was always in a good mood. Didn't really bother me, of course, I just remember thinking when he was still new, "what's up with this guy? He's always so peppy." I especially thought this because it’s a quality that I have always wanted to have, but with him, it seemed natural. For all these years, it's seemed authentic. He will be missed, indeed.

Words from Chris: 

I can't believe the news I have heard this morning. Our good friend and team member, Dagoberto Flores has passed away. It does not make any sense. How could this happen?

Dagoberto was one of a kind. He lived with such a positive spirit about all aspects of his life. When he started working here back in October 2007, I had interviewed several people to start up our pad printing department. When I met him I immediately knew he was the right guy. I could tell he was very professional and cared greatly about his work. He had brought some samples from his previous job to show me the intricate and detailed work that he had done in the past. He was very proud of his work, rightfully so and he just had a way about him that made you at ease. He was a very likeable guy.

From that day when he started working here, until now, our pad printing department had grown to 3 machines and up to 6 workers at times. Dagoberto managed it like a pro. He always had a positive attitude about what he was doing and never complained about anything. He made sure we would make our deadlines and would stay after to personally make sure a job was done right.

Dago used to speak of how he loved working here and how we were family. "We will grow old together here", is what he said to me once. That really stuck with me and I expected him to be here as long as me.

He used to speak of his hometown, Veracruz, and how beautiful it was. It sounded like paradise. We planned to go there together one day.

He was a good friend to all of us. I remember early on when he started working here, we had some kind of get together for work. Since he was new, no one expected him to show up, but he did. He is just one of those guys that you wanted around you all the time. He always had a smile on his face and something good to say. When we had an 80s party, he took it seriously. He made a necklace with a cassette tape on it and was wearing a red jacket with his FBL t-shirt. Who knew he had so much spirit.

I am still in shock as I write this. I wish I could go back in time and change this. I wish someone would tell me that it is all just a big hoax. I just saw him on Friday and he was his happy and healthy self. I guess you never know when you will see someone for the last time. Luckily we still have our memories of him that were all good. It is going to be tough to move on from this for his department and for the office as a whole. He will be missed greatly here and thought of regularly.

Dago, Thank you for your hard work and service here at FBL. You were and will remain an asset to the company. You single handedly created our printing department and turned it into a success overnight. You will be dearly missed here and your efforts will not be forgotten. The positive attitude, procedures, and hard work ethic that you instilled in your department will be your legacy here and will continue long into the future.

Words from Martha:

After the initial shock and tears that this terrible news struck me with, I keep wondering "What were those final thoughts?" As wonderful of a heart Dago had, I know it must have pained him immensely to realize in his last moments that he was leaving those who love him dearly. No one's ever good at dealing with the death of a family member, but we keep going; immortalizing them with the love and good memories they left us with. I can only imagine the most courageous act in this life, or the next, is the acceptance that we really are no longer going to be walking the earth with our families, friends, experiences, or even our own isolations. For this, the ones that leave us are the bravest, most beautiful souls.

We will always love you, Dago. Your courage and love will live on in our hearts.

Words from Meridyth: 

Dearest Dago,

You really made everyday a joy. I feel so lucky to have known you and it was an honor to call you a friend. You had magic in your heart and it felt good to be near you. I find solace in the memories we shared, thank you for being a special part of my life. You’ll be missed and your memory always cherished. You were so young and so sweet; I’d give anything to have you here.

Words from Laura:

Dear Dago,

You were thoughtful, sweet & special—a man who put care into life’s details. I noticed those little artful things that you did, and was always impressed. I will miss you dearly. You never ceased to surprise and delight me with your spontaneity. Playful yet professional, you mastered that balance. You are an inspiration. Always willing to hang out and have fun, and always willing to stay late and get the job done. I miss your smile. I miss the kind way that you talked. I miss the spunky way you walked. I took it for granted that you’d be my colleague and friend for life. I am heartbroken and so sorry that you’re gone. Were you greatly needed somewhere else? Only the Universe knows. Farewell my gentleman friend, I hope we can meet again.

Words from Jeff: 

I have had a very difficult time coming to terms with what a loss this truly is to me personally and our whole family here. Dago, you possessed something very special in your soul that will never leave us, nor be forgotten. You had such a charismatic way about you that I couldn’t help but feel happier and more joyful when in your presence. You had such a unique quirkiness that even while writing this, still makes me smile. I am going to miss the way we would constantly poke fun at one another while we worked side-by-side. You are an integral piece of what makes our company such a special place.

I couldn’t help but admire your work ethic. Viewing your work as a reflection of yourself, you would take the time necessary to leave every job with nothing but your best. I am going to miss our talks about life and what we thought we should do with it, which teams to bet on during a given game day, and which cooking recipes we could use to impress our girlfriends, haha. You were so very special and nothing I write here will ever measure up to the impact you had on us and how grateful I am for having known you. I hope someday we can sit back once again, enjoy some beers together, and continue our talks. I sure do miss my friend.

With love and admiration, your friend,

CHICHARRÓN!

Words from Nikki:

It's been a week since we physically lost our beloved Dago. I think of his family as I go to bed every night, I see his face every morning when I wake up, I shake my head in disbelief as I get ready for work remembering the pain from the day before, I randomly say throughout the day "Dago, Dago, Dago" under my breath, still trying to wrap my head around what's happened. But then! There are moments of freedom from this sadness...like when I embrace more than ever the loved ones still here with me, and when I hear stories from our work family about all the good times shared with Dago. What an amazing man to touch us so! What a mark he left - so many memories of joy and unconditional love and just straight up funky good times - this guy GOT IT. He didn't ever sweat the small stuff; he just glowed/shined/resonated positivity, and it blew our minds on a regular basis at FBL. It's funny, like Zac said, it was like, "Is this guy for real??" Heck yes he's for real. What a gem. I'm going to try to talk about him in present tense, because I believe that beautiful energy he so genuinely possessed, it is with us today. I feel it more than ever. And when the tears come, it's always followed with a smile due to those classic memories he helped us create together. I mean how lucky am I?! So grateful I got the chance be around Dago, to know him & love him like familia. THANK YOU, Dago. Thank you so much, you crazy beautiful soul, I shall raise a cup of habanero salsa in your honor tonight!