Kendall Patrick Castañeda
September 1, 1998 ~ August 22, 2021
Born in:
Atlanta, GA
Resided in:
Boston, MA
Kendall Patrick Castañeda, passed away on August 22nd from natural causes. Born in Atlanta, September 1, 1998, he spent the last 5 years in Boston, his adopted hometown. He is preceded in death by his Paternal Grandparents, Froilan and Zosima Castañeda, and his Maternal Grandfather, Richard Draffin, Jr. He is also preceded by fellow Posse Foundation alum/chosen family member Erin Edwards.
He leaves us to continue his path; of chosen happiness, loving wholeheartedly, a big proponent of goofiness, and continual learning to – his mother, Mercedes Draffin (Paul Miller), his siblings, Zosima Castañeda (Kyle Nicklaw, and nephew Julio), Ethan Castañeda (Amber Harville), Courtney Castañeda, Emma Castañeda (Dominik Bedzyk), his partner Brianna Gilmore, his Best Friends Ron Thompson and Simeon Webb, his close cousin Karen Castañeda, Uncle and Aunt Robert and Leslie Castañeda (Avery Castañeda) and Uncle Frederick Castañeda, and his Maternal Grandmother, Ann Draffin an His #BU2021 Posse (Chosen Family): Nancy Lowenstein, Abdullaah Robins, Archelle Thelemaque, Christian Vanleer, Diem (DM) Maxwell, Kamilah Harruna, Kesha Perkins, MC Carradine.
There are hundreds and hundreds of you who have had connections with him, and we cannot list you all here, but you know what you meant to him and what he meant to you. And truly… every word he ever said to each and every one of you, he meant. You probably already know that.
While we deeply mourn this unexpected passing, we are celebrating 2 things. 1) His Memory and 2) You.
Kendall lived his entire life with a fullness of heart and wasted not one single minute he was given. He gave of himself, his time, his focus, his assistance, his laughter, his smile, and his hugs. His hugs were phenomenal. We are comforted by the fact that he lived daily without regret, and loved those he loved unconditionally and completely. We have NO doubt that when he passed unexpectedly, and peacefully, it was with no regret and no remorse. He knew how much and richly he was loved and conversely, we all knew how he felt about us. Although he graduated from Boston University in May 2021, Kendall left a big footprint there and could not walk down Commonwealth Avenue without seeing someone he knew, and giving a big smile and wave to them as he rushed to a class or activity.
To his siblings, blood related and chosen, Kendall was a constant source of laughter and light, even when he was a “pain in the ass”. He was passionate about helping others obtain success and whether that was through a small conversation or actively seeking out resources and connections for those he loved. Kendall’s ability to bring ease and joy into the conversation, even in the toughest of times, was one of his most unique and memorable qualities. He was able to turn anything into a joke and would do whatever it took to bring a smile to someone’s face, whether that be his sister or a random stranger on the street. His smile in of itself was infectious enough to break up a mundane day and become a shining light to us all, and now he watches over us all by brightening the night sky to lighten up our lives even when he is no longer with us. His terribly amazing jokes, infectious positivity, and outward philanthropy allowed everyone he interacted with to see straight into his open heart and affinity for kindness and character.
And then there’s you. Your sharing of the tsunami of pictures and stories is overwhelming, in a joyful way, and something that is keeping our spirits up. I don’t think Kendall understood, truly, his impact on his various communities. You are reminding us that he’s been this luminary well before his college years. Thank you for that gift.
He was an active leader and contributor in the community from community fridges, to BUFSA, his Posse Family, his work with the MCU as both a team leader and it’s President. He was on the Dean’s list innumerable times and was inducted into the highly regarded Scarlet Key Society upon Graduation. He graduated from Boston University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociocultural Anthropology and a Minor in Computer Science. He was Resident Assistant of the Month, October 2019, and Justin Flynn Community Award, April 2020.
While at BU, he successfully served on the Executive Board of the Minority Connection Initiative and the Filipino Student Association, completed two internships at Deloitte, as well as the CodeU Program at Google. He served as a Program Advisor and Common Ground speaker for BU’s Summer Orientation team, and a Resident Assistant for BU Residence Life, as well as developing funding for BU’s annual fund as he worked at the Student Philanthropy center.
He’s remembered not only for the heights he accomplished for himself and for others, but for his intention, thoughtfulness, hope, curiosity, and gratitude which he poured wholeheartedly into everything he did.
We challenge you to dance goofily, or very well, to music when a good beat presents, try the good new food, learn something new, challenge yourself, hold someone’s hand who is scared, never let anyone eat alone who seems like they are doing so unintentionally, to love wholly and completely, so that those around you never have to wonder where they stand.
We ask that donations, in lieu of flowers, be made to the below, in his name Kendall Patrick Castaneda:
- Black Girls Code — Women of Color in Technology;
- https://codecoven.com:
- https://gameheadsoakland.org/About/
- BOS Food Bank / community fridges accepting donations https://boston.eater.com/maps/community-fridges-boston
- Healthcare for Homeless https://www.bhchp.org/
- Dorchester education https://dd2foundation.org
Arrangements will be Virtual, located below, and are handled by Wages & Sons Funeral Home in Lawrenceville. The virtual service will begin on Wednesday, September 1, 2021 at 12:00PM. We will keep you all updated through the Wages and Son website and social media.
As we can see, life is short. Go live it, and love it, fully.. It’s hard to imagine going forward without Kendall’s heart and wisdom to guide us, because he brings out the best in us. But As Kendall would say, “Not with that attitude!”
Services
Live Streamed Service: September 1, 2021 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Wages & Sons Gwinnett Chapel
1031 Lawrenceville Hwy.
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770-277-4550
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My Third son!! You came into my life through Brianna and immediately became apart of our Family. You had instant impact, a calming voice, and reason beyond any person I’ve ever known. Our texts were amazing, sharing music and side jokes. This is a terrible loss for our family. God needed a warrior, and you my son are every bit of that… Watch over us, keep Brianna strong from up above. I love you kid and we will see each other again soon.
Love
Paul
May his memory give you strength, the love of all who met and cared for him keep you strong, help and guide you through this incredibly difficult time! With deep and profound sorrow; my thoughts, prayers and love are with you all!!
You had a smile to light up a room! Now the recipe I gave you you can make up in the heavens rest with the angels Kendal we will miss u!
I extend my deepest, heartfelt condolences to his friends and family.
Until we meet again in the stars I hope you rest peacefully.
Rest easy Kendall ❤️
Kendall was such a warm, caring young man. As everyone has noted, his smile lit up a room, his hugs were encasing and his laugh contagious. He was a strong advocate for Posse on the BU campus and was a mentor to younger Posse groups and other minority students. He made a big impact without even meaning to and his loss has reverberated through all of the BU campus.
I loved him as my son, I loved our conversations, I loved how he trusted me with his pain and let me be a part of his growth. Kendall never failed to ask me how I was doing and always took an interest in others.
I miss him, I know that he and Erin are looking down on us and will be guiding us all. I will keep his family in my thoughts and prayers as they move forward without their beloved Kendall.
The world has lost a wonderful young man, with a smile that brought light to everyone who met or worked with him. It was an honor to have him in several classes. May his soul rest in peace.
Pumunta sa kapayapaan.????????
Love,
Anthony Dongfack
#LLK #LLE
To Kendall’s family – I am so sorry for your loss, and am sending much love to you in this time. Kendall impacted everyone’s lives, no matter how big or small.
Love you, Ken ????
#Posse10
#TenToes
#LLE
#LLK
It’s hard to associate you with death. You shared more life than anyone I knew back in high school. I regret that I did not make more efforts to keep in touch these past few years. But, I do cherish the last conversation we had. I learned you graduated and congratulated you. Even with the praise that you were getting, you still cared to ask how I have been doing the last couple of years. That was the man you were. A man who shared his light with the world around him.
I will miss you,
Kevin
Kendall had such a sweet spirit and I am glad to have had an opportunity to interact with him. Sending my condolences to the family and will keep you all in my prayers.
Sincerely,
Regina Frazier
rest easy my boy <3 !
marlo
Thank you for being one of my first friends and the best roommate at BU. You were such a shining light for me, especially those times when I came home sad and you cheered me right up. I hope to see you again someday Kendall, and we can run some fifa like the old days. Love you brother
My thoughts and prayers to every loved one and family.
I hope you still smile the way you do, up high.
Forever your friend,
Stephanie Twitty Carmon – former Assistant Principal – Bethesda Elementary School
My deepest sympathies are with Kendall’s family. Please know we loved your Kendall dearly.
Kendall, I am so glad that the last time I had the chance to enjoy your presence was an occasion of joy for every BU student – Marathon Monday. Rapping Drake’s “Laugh Now, Cry Later” with you, Sim, Ron, and Amir two times in a row in your living room because it “went too hard” the first time is a memory I’ll have forever. Thank you for being a beacon of light in all aspects of life. You are an inspiration among your peers, a role model for your successors. You are so loved and always will be. Thank you for being you.
To Bri, his friends, family, Posse mates, and loved ones, I am so sorry your loved one has left so soon. His impact radiates beyond his time here on Earth. He changed so many lives for the better, mine included, whether he knew it or not. I know you are unbelievably proud of him. I definitely am.
Rest in perfect peace, Kendall.
Kendall,
You continue to shine through those you left behind. In my seminar you were the most compelling, most positive force, a friend to all, a guide to me, your teacher, in the way you faced the world and yourself. You left the room, the light dimmed. You arrived, the light infused us all.
RIP KPC ????
I’m feeling blessed to have gotten to know you over the past four years. You’ve had a huge impact on everyone in your life, and you will be missed dearly. If anyone has ever wondered what success looks like, it looks like you, Kendall. Everything you put your mind and heart to you did effortlessly. You built other people up. You met people where they were. You made people feel loved with your presence alone. Happy Birthday bro, we’re celebrating you today.
I’m sending my love to you and the family—I’m sorry for your loss. Looking forward to when we get to squad up again. Save me a spot up there. Rest easy Kendall.
– Spencer
I hope you Rest In Peace, smiling bright with the angels.. You didn’t deserve this. I’m sorry.
My deepest condolences to his family, friends and Brianna. ❤️
I love you so much, Kendall. The love you held in your heart touched so many. Always so inquisitive and eager, I know the time you’ve spent searching. I hope you know that it was always present, always there – with you, as you. You were the light, my friend.
I didn’t know Kendall directly. But I’ve watched from afar as he accomplished one remarkable thing after another. The absolute HUGENESS of his life has been evident for years. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss, and for the emptiness his passing leaves. I hold space, and love, and the peace of the Goddess for you.
You were and always will be a shining light. You are one of the purest souls I have ever met and loved. I miss you dearly. Thank you for always being such an amazing presence and a huge impact on my life, friend.
My heart is with you and your family always. ❤️
I worked with Kendall for nearly two years at BU, and it was always a joy when he walked into a room. I have never met someone who interacts with others quite like he did — he was smart, and funny, but more than that, he was one of the kindest people I’ve had the pleasure of knowing. When he asked about your day, it was because he was truly interested; if he asked how you were, he really wanted to know. I am so glad to have known such a remarkably caring person, even if our time as friends was cut too short.
To the family and friends who raised him, please know through this heartbreaking loss that those of us who knew Kendall are so grateful to you and to him for his impact on those around him. His memory remains an incandescent light and will always be cherished.
Adrianne your neighbor
Pretty much everytime I saw him I would say to myself, “oh hey, there’s Kendall ????” Can’t wait to say it again ❤️
Rest well bro.
You’ll be forever missed.