(Sept. 7, 2002-August 14, 2023)
Daniel Micheal always wanted to be a part of a team.
And Daniel Michael always was, constantly surrounded by loving family, sports, smiles, laughter and love. To his family, he was the joker and “favorite” of the Barreda’s. (An inside joke, Daniel Michael looked the most like his mother, Emma.) The oldest son of eight siblings, he was a loving fiancé, father and friend, he even more beloved
So much so, that he could bring “a house divided” together. And they’d wear their opposing teams’ jerseys in the house and playfully banter while watching different football games.
The pictures show Daniel Michael as dark haired, fresh faced, handsome young man. He’s embraced by his family, surrounded by a bevy of laughing children, smiling women and proud men.
Despite his age, Daniel Michael had already achieved many goals, including owning a house and starting a family. According to Emma, he didn’t act his age. Maturity doesn’t come with age, but wisdom.
Daniel Micheal had compassion from a young age. From the moment he got his license at 17, he knew he wanted to be a donor. Despite pushback from his father and grandpa, Emma let Daniel Micheal register as a donor because he was so adamant about it.
When he unexpectedly passed away at 20, his corneas and tissue were donated, at his request.
“Mom, when I am gone, I am gone,” he was quoted saying. “But if they can use whatever they can from me, I’ll still be around in some way, shape or form.” Although it is the call no mother wants to have, Emma knew exactly what to expect.
“I got the phone call from the coordinators, and I understood the urgency. As hard as it was, he is a registered donor, and I confirmed consent,” Emma said. “It brings us comfort, to the entire family, knowing he is still “here” and this is the best gift he could give to us.”
The Barreda family remembers the laughter that would follow everywhere Daniel Michael went. “I loved when we’d just be running around the house terrorizing,” Emiliana, one of Daniel Micheal’s younger sisters said. “We had so much fun growing up together.”
His brother and cousins laugh when they think about Daniel, good times, they say. A lot of joking around and bantering.
His daughter understands the gift her father left behind. “Daddy’s eyes aren’t here because they are with someone else,” she says, with wisdom mirroring her father. She is four years old.
“His donation has impacted our family in a positive way,” Emma said. “It gives us something to be a part of. He always enjoyed being part of sports and team. So our family sees this as part of this donor team. That is his legacy – he is part of a donor team forever.”
