Children need help after sudden death of their father

By reporter Steven Smalley

The unexpected passing of a family member has the proprietors of Josefina?s Mexican Grill in mourning. Pedro Vasquez (32), the son of Josefina and Carlos Vasquez, owners of the restaurant on Thondyke Avenue, died of a heart attack recently which left his two small children without the support of their father.
The mother of the toddlers, Alexandra Hrycenko, works at a Starbucks downtown. Her shifts begin so early that she cannot take the bus.
?I?m trying to transfer to Everett,? she says. ?Right now I pay $400 per month for parking.?
Her two boys, Julian and Gabriel, are three and four years old.
?The oldest one has the most trouble…it?s the hardest thing to explain in an age-appropriate way,? she says. ?It?s difficult to do things all by myself. It feels like I lost everything. It?s just me and my kids and I?m trying to do the best I can for them.?
Magnolia Voice was alerted to the plight of the family by a customer of the restaurant where the late Pedro Vasquez worked as a cook for his mother and father.
?The mother is devastated,? the customer said. ?I think they are hoping to set up some kind of fund to help the young family with costs and expenses to tide them over ’til they can figure out what to do.?
A fund has been established at the Wells Fargo Bank on 15th (across from Whole Foods). Those who wish to donate can ask to have funds placed in the Vasquez Family Fund, or ask to speak with Joel, the branch manager.

Stop by for a meal, if you can, and help the family.