TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — A candlelight vigil was held Sunday, March 16 to honor the life of the late Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva, who passed away Thursday at the age of 77 after a long battle with cancer.
His loss left a hole in many people's hearts.
Scott Blades, a member of the community and friend of Grijalva, helped set up the candlelight vigil outside the Congressman's office with the blessing of his daughter Adelita Grijalva.
“It shows how much we are grieving as a community right now over the loss of Raúl and how we will come together as he would want us to do and keep connected and keep fighting for what is right," Blades said.
Blades says he knew Grijalva by his leadership.
"For standing with us, for fighting for our country, for our district, for our people. So I'm just one of the many people who loved Raúl Grijalva and what he stood for," Blades said.
Grijalva began his public service career as a Tucson community organizer and was a big advocate for education and the environment.
Raul Aguirre, a colleague of Grijalva's, says he's been working with him as a collaborator for 50 years.
He met Grijalva at the University of Arizona when he was on his second run for the Tucson Unified School District Governing Board.
“A lot of people don't realize that Raúl Grijalva was the one who started the city's neighborhood centers," Aguirre said. "I always admired his tenacity, his wit, he was a brilliant man and great speaker. If you had to speak after Raúl Grijalva, you were in trouble cause he was so knowledgable about everything he did. He did his homework and he represented our community really well."
Grijalva's family sat in the front row listening to how much he meant to the Tucson community.
“He always had the community in mind, he always had the heart to fight the good fight," Aguirre said.
Valerie Sanchez, another friend of Grijalva's, came to show support and got emotional as people reflected and remembered him.
“It was just really beautiful. It was really cool to see the community come together in complete unity, where if you hear this song in the background, it was really all about the love," Sanchez said.
She said it was an honor to be there with everyone else who loved him.
"He was a mentor to so so many, countless, intergenerational and Grijalva Elementary School is named after him. I think I was just one among so many that have admired his advocacy and his leadership," said Sanchez. "To see the work he has done since, for our environment, for our humans and four-legged's alike, you know, it's been incredible."
Also in attendance were tribal members who came to pay their respects, as well as Ramsés Stevens, Tucson businessman involved with international trade, who came from Mexico with a message for Grijalva's family.
"Yesterday I was with the government of Sonora, federal and state and also municipal, and they wish the most heartfelt condolences to the community of Arizona and the family of Raúl Grijalva, who's a leader, a person who's made a very valuable difference in the lives of many," Stevens said.
Grijalva is survived by his wife Ramona, three daughters Adelita, Marisa, Raquel and five grandchildren.
Adelita gave thanks to everyone who came and says the services for her dad will be Wednesday March 26th at 10 a.m. at St. Augustine Cathedral.
"It is literally the only church that might fit us all and after that, we are going to have a reception with some really good music, good food and company at our favorite hangout El Casino Ballroom," Adelita said.
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Vanessa Gongora is KGUN 9's Westside reporter.. Vanessa fell in love with storytelling by growing up in sports. She was fascinated by how sports reporters go beyond the x's & o's to tell players' stories, and how sports bring people together, inspiring Vanessa to provide the same impact as a journalist. Share your story ideas and important issues with Vanessa by emailing vanessa.gongora@kgun9.com or by connecting on Facebook, Instagram, and X.
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