I had been trying to reach Sergio for weeks now, to apologize for missing his first big art show (I was out of town), and thought he might've been avoiding me, which is so unlike Sergio. I finally went to his place yesterday and found out from his landlord of his sudden and tragic death. I am just heartsick to have lost this most genuinely kind friend, even more so because he never got his big moment of recognition with the show. He was a very unrated artist and perhaps even underappreciated as a person. So decent and giving. I had hoped to know him all my life. I think I will feel the loss of his friendship more acutely than I ever had his gentle and unassuming presence. Thank you for this tribute to him.