This morning I received the saddest news I've heard in a very, very long time. And I'm not ashamed to say that it hit me hard, right here at my desk, this morning.
Pablo Castelaz, the 6-year-old son of Milwaukee's Jeff Castelaz and Jo Ann Thrailkill, passed away on Saturday after battling cancer for more than a year.
Please keep Jeff, Jo Ann, brother Grady and Pablo in your hearts and consider making a donation to the foundation that the family set up shortly after Pablo was diagnosed.
Because I can't say it better, here is the e-mail I received:
"Pablo Thrailkill Castelaz, the son of Jeff Castelaz (many in town remember him as the manager of Citizen King) and Jo Ann Thrailkill, brother of Grady Gallagher, passed away at home on Saturday, June 27 after a 13-month struggle against cancer. Services will be held Wednesday, July 1.
"The magnificent six years and six days that were Pablo's life touched many. His brave journey began when he was diagnosed in May 2008 with Wilms' Tumor, a rare form of cancer. From the start, the family honestly and courageously documented Pablo's fight on the PABLOg, a daily diary that, over the course of the year, has evolved into a destination for countless families facing similar difficult questions and challenges. Pablo's life remains a beacon for hope, and has inspired an outpouring of goodwill and solace from an ever-growing community that spans the globe.
"The Pablove Foundation was established shortly after Pablo was diagnosed and will continue to serve in his loving memory. The Foundation makes annual contributions to fund cancer research and treatment at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles' Saban Research Institute, one of the top cancer research facilities in the United States. Pablove supports music and arts programs, and sponsors play rooms and activities in the soft tumor units at CHLA.
"Jeff, Jo Ann and brother Grady would like to express their gratitude for the immeasurable love and support from their family and extended community. In lieu of flowers or gifts, please visit Pablove.org to make a donation."
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
