By JOSEPH G. LARIOSA

(Journal Group Link International)

C HICAGO (JGLi) – An eight-year-old second grade school Filipino-American boy was buried Thursday, May 27, four days after he was found dead in the Ravenswood Neighborhood of the North Branch of the Chicago River. He was buried at the Bohemian National Cemetery at Chicago’s northside.

Cashmere  R. Castillo was playing tag at Eugene Field Park at 5100 N. Ridgeway in Chicago’s northside with playmates last May 16 when he jumped a fence, falling into the river.

“My son did not know how to swim. But even if he did, he would not survive because of the strong current, about 40 miles per hour speed,” said the grieving father, Willie Castillo, of the 5000 block of Avers Avenue in Chicago’s northside.

What made matters worse was that there were heavy rains a few days prior to the drowning of Cashmere, Castillo recalled.

When Willie learned of the Cashmere’s drowning, he raced towards the river’s edge on barefoot and dove into the water to search for his son. But he came up empty handed, and crying.

“I never tired in reminding Cashmere and his big brother, Christian, that when they go to the park, they should stay away from the water. But if God wanted to take my son away in that unfortunate accident, there is nothing I can do,” added the 37-year-old machinist and automotive supplier and native of Bacoor, Cavite in the Philippines.

Willie’s uncle Edgardo Medina agreed that the death of his grandnephew was really tragic as he died at a very tender age. He said Willie, being a resident of a seaside town of Bacoor, is a good swimmer.

Willie’s wife, Merrell (nee: Ronquillo), still appeared in shock, as she could not find words to describe the death of their son. She is a native of Bislig city in Surigao del Sur in the Philippines.

C ashmere was found a mile downstream from where he fell. His elder brother Christian, 13, was playing basketball when he heard that Cashmere fell into the river.

“I wanted to save Cashmot (his Cashmere’s nickname) whom I saw bobbling up and down the middle of the river but I could not because I don’t know how to swim,” Christian told this reporter.

“I screamed for help from people in the park. One of them dove into the water. Cashmot was able to grab the finger of the rescuer but he could not hold on due to the strong current,” added Christian as he fought back tears.

Chicago police dogs trained to find cadavers led police to the body of Cashmere at the edge of the river. The body was placed in a body bag and was later identified by the boy’s father.

Cashmere’s brother Christian said he will be more careful next time. Although, he is fond of playing basketball, he will make it a point to learn how to swim.  He said his little brother wanted to be a baseball player.

There were streams of mourners at the funeral service, where his shocked classmates struggled to write words of condolence for his family.

“To my friend Cashmere, you were a hard worker. Cashmere you were a smart kid! I miss you.” signed, Brittney Tillett, his second-grade classmate at Alessandro Volta Elementary School.

The Castillo family also questioned the absence of a life preserver mounted to a pedestrian bridge near the 5100 Ridgeway Avenue, where Cashmere slipped into the river.

A spokesman of the Department of Transportation said, “life preservers are typically placed along major street locations.”

Aside from his parents and Christian Dior, Cashmere is survived by his younger brother, Carter, 13-month-old. (lariosa_jos@sbcglobal.net) # # #