Wow! Dave Nelson just sent me an email also about antonio's passing. I have so many memories of Antonio - really leading the way during the El Nino clean up, always being so friendly, bringing his kids to Gazebo, allowing me to struggle with my very rusty spanish. I will miss seeing him. Is there a fund being set up for his family? Please let us know. I'll light a candle too.

natalia rae

Sad news, but, thanks Steve for letting us know... really appreciate being able to give a little bit of time and space to this dear man.

Yes, Antonio... such gentle kind presence... he would always smile when he passed by... he was one of the people who always seemed to be there... day in day out... keeping the place going... and yes, during El Nino... I think Joseph London (?) or someone nicknamed him "Superman" during that time... 'cause he could do amazing things... Trees were toppling everywhere... branches... true hazards... but he seemed fearless... I remember seeing him climb up a tree with a chainsaw hanging from his belt... and holding onto the tree with one hand and working the chainsaw with the other...

The other distinct memory that I have of him is when he came to clear out some poison oak that had gathered around some of the solar panels in the Canyon House, where I was living at the time. I think I tried to warn him to be careful about the poison oak... but he laughed (if I'm remembering this right)... and then ate some! Just to show me that I need not worry... One of a kind :-)

And yes... if there's a fund for his family... please let us know...

---Albert

i haven't seen him in years, haven't thought of him in years, and now i remember his radiant face as if it were yesterday, and am grateful to have known him. blessings to his family.

anna

There is a fundraiser for the family of Antonio, Saturday, Jan. 13th at the Spirit Gardens at Loma Vista in Big Sur from 11-5pm. They need gifts for an auction and raffle. They also need help on the day of the event. You can call Luiz Gutierrez 667-2575 or Toby Rowland-Jones 667-0241. Donations can be sent to a fund that Deetjen's Big Sur Inn is overseeing. I will get further info on how to send donations form a distance and post here as soon as I have better information.
Peace, S

If you can't make the fundraiser at Spirit Gardens you can send donations to:
Checks written to:
Silvia Macias (Antonio's wife)
mailed to:
Silvia Macias
c/o Deetjen's Big Sur Inn
48865 Hwy 1
Big Sur, CA 93920

Deetjen's has set up a fund and is collecting money for the family.

Thank you for creating this forum about the fundraiser (which will also be a FUNraiser!) at the Spirit Gardens at Loma Vista, this coming Saturday.

We have some truly outstanding donations for this event, from massages to dinners, to use of a cabin and white-water rafting trip in oregon, to rooms at hotels, and some very special pieces of art.

The highlight of this will be the auctioning of a small (15" x 12' approx.) landscape by noted British painter Frederick Goodall, who was noted for his iconic paintings of Turkish harems in the 1860's and 1870's. We are considering taking live bids over the phone, so if anyone is keen on being involved, please contact me directly at 831-667-0241, and I will organize a group of bid takers on cell phones at the event.

We are honored to create this event in memory of Antonio's life and his incredible energy. His constant smile and effusive warmth will be so greatly missed.

Toby Rowland-Jones, Big Sur

I recently returned from the fundraiser at the Spirit Gardens... What an incredible event. Hats off to Toby and the many people that came forward to put on this event and contribute, time, energy, and money. The Big Sur and Esalen communities come forward in the best way during diffucult times. The weather was crisp and cold (ice in the parking lot). There was lots of food, a raffle, a silent auction, and a live auction with Toby at the gavel. People were generous with their donations and bidding. The highlight for me was when they did a 21 chainsaw salute... imagine... a huge group of guys all running their chainsaws all all at one time for 3 or 4 minutes. People where cheering, laughing, and crying. It is hard to imagine a better tribute. His eldest daughter got up and spoke of Antonio and gratitude. There was an "alter" of sorts that had Antonio's climbing harness, photos, and such on it. Filipe, one of Antonio's brothers, took home the photo that Dorthy T took of Antonio and his youngest daughter.
In this moment, I am feeling a mixture of sadness for the loss of a friend and grateful to be alive, to be a part of a diverse community, to witness and partake in this wonderous unfolding of life... and death... of joy... and of sadness... of mystery and of the territory where words don't travel...

Thanks so much, Steve for being there for Antonio. For all of us.

Many thanks to Toby and everyone who made this such a success.

Opening to love and the mystery of life that this is...

Blessings, blessings...

---Albert

As of today the fundraiser for Antonio has brought in $18,350.
And, there is more still coming in. And, it is still not too late to donate! See the address above.
An impressive effort! Gratitude to all who contributed. Gratitude to all who held the "energetic" space for Antonio and his family during this passage. Gratefully, S

I am truly amazed by all of you comments, and I want to thank all of you for all of these great words you say about my beloved father Antonio. It makes very proud to hear all of these great things you guys have to say about my father. These are memories that we shall cherish for the rest of our lives, and may my father be in our hearts for ever. Thankyou very much every one.

                                                                                   Luis Esparza.

To have a father you so loved is truly a blessing. 

May he rest in peace and may his family prosper as his living legacy.