Thank you for being here today.

I want to quickly thank everyone in our large, loving community who have helped us in so many ways over the past weeks. Your help, your conversation, your laughs, and your hugs have kept our family strong during this time of grief.

Carlos Aguilar. What did you call him? Bro? Cuz? Cuzzo? Tio? Jerro? J? Something else? He was called so many names by so many people. I was lucky enough to be his friend (more like a sister) although he looked at me more as free therapy.

The void created by the sudden death of someone as beloved as Carlos Aguilar is still hard to grasp. He was someone we took for granted would be around for much longer. His laughs, his yelling, his help … I can still see his smile and that funny little walk.

Carlos Aguilar was born to his parents Maiky and Jerry Aguilar. Carlos Aguilar was raised like many earlier families for Newark, New Jersey. One of the middle-children of four, he had 1 older brother Panchi Dejesus and 2 younger siblings, brother Geraldo Aguilar and sister Natasha Aguilar.

Alongside his immediate siblings, Carlos Aguilar forged lifelong friendships with numerous cousins. I was lucky enough to be accepted into this fun, exciting, close-knit family and I quickly learned why cousins and family are the fabric of life.

Survived By: Lourde, Janetza, Bu Bu, Omi, Coco, Debbie, Hebay, Luis, Be Bo, Jessenia, Joena, Yazmin, Michelle, Ashley, Nieces, Nephews, friends, and family.

I Am Free

Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free; I'm following the path God laid for me
I took His hand when I heard Him call; I turned my back and left it all.

I could not stay another day, to laugh, to love, to work, or play.
Tasks undone must stay that way. I've found that peace at the close of the day.
If parting has left a void, then fill it with remembered joy.
A friendship shared a laugh, a kiss, Ah, yes, these things I too will miss.

Be not burdened with times of sorrow; I wish for you the sunshine of tomorrow.
My life's been full, I savored much; Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch.

Perhaps my time seemed all too brief; Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me --God wanted me now, God set me free.