BURGOS, Elliot Rafael

BURGOS, CAROLUS, POOLE, CONROY, GRACIA-LEACOCK, FRASER, SWAI, GOT, RIVERA, DELGADO, ELLERBE

Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 7/2/2018 at 17:01:50

Obituary ~ Elliot Rafael Burgos
August 05, 2008 - January 14, 2018

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
January 14, 2018

Mason City boy, 9, with cancerous brain tumor has died, family says
by John Skipper

MASON CITY -- A 9-year-old Mason City boy with cancer has died, his parents said Sunday.

"Today is a very sad day for all of us. I'm so heartbroken to tell everyone that Elliot has went to be with the Lord early this morning," the family of Elliot Burgos wrote in a post on the "Prayers for Elliot" Facebook page Sunday. "We want to thank all of you for your continued prayers and support throughout this whole process. Thank you and God bless."

In April 2016, Elliot didn't feel well and developed an illness that lingered. His parents took him to Mayo Clinic where he was diagnosed with medulloblastoma, a type of terminal pediatric brain tumor that spreads down the spine.

Since that time, Elliot's parents, Jonathan and Shanda Burgos and his three brothers, Cameron, 18, Caleb, 16, and Samuel, 8, devoted their lives to his comfort and have poured out their love to him.

As his story spread, he received support not only from Mason City and North Iowa but from all over the country.

The Burgos family has received donations, prayers and messages of support from all over the U.S.

Money was raised for his medical bills and for family household expenses that have added up while both parents have been out of work caring for their son. The CENT Credit Union in Mason City has been taking public donations.

Elliot's final days were filled with many well-wishers, including Christmas carolers arranged by teachers at Harding Elementary School, where Elliot was a student. Other visitors have included Worth and Cerro Gordo County sheriff's deputies, Mason City police officers and members of the Iowa Army National Guard.

High school students brought special joy to him.
Newman students in 2016 held a pie-in-the-face fundraiser in his honor. Mason City students attending a home football game in 2017 wore yellow, his favorite color, in his honor and arranged to have visiting fans from Fort Dodge to also wear yellow.

In 2017, he experienced a special thrill when he went to the Mason City High School prom and was crowned king.

His family is asking everyone who has a "Prayers for Elliot" shirt to wear it at his funeral, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City.

~ ~ ~ ~

The Globe Gazette
Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa
January 20, 2018

Last Call: Union Pacific, rail crew honor Mason City boy who died from cancer

Union Pacific honored Elliot Burgos and his family on Saturday, the day of Elliot's funeral in Mason City.

The 9-year-old, who died from cancer Jan. 14, loved trains. His casket was modeled after the company's locomotives.

MASON CITY -- When Elliot Burgos was growing up, he had a special love for trains.

His parents, Shanda and Jonathan Burgos, would take him to the Union Pacific Railyard in Mason City, near the bridge at 12th Street Northwest, to watch the locomotives roll past. He also had done a tour and ridden one of UP's trains.

On Saturday morning, the Mason City rail crew and Union Pacific honored him and his family one last time.

Elliot Burgos, 9, died Jan. 14 after a long battle with medulloblastoma, a type of terminal pediatric brain tumor that spreads down the spine.

Shanda, Elliot's mother, said they didn't know what to expect when they brought Elliot, in his casket, to the Union Pacific Railyard on Saturday. One of Elliot's favorite trains, the 8508, was sitting in the yard, and Shanda recognized the significance of that with one of the Union Pacific special agents present.

After all, Elliot was born on Aug. 5, 2008.

"The 8508 train we wanted to do was right here," Shanda said. "I looked at the train and looked at the number … and I looked at him (the agent) and said it was my son’s birthday … and he had the same expression on my face, and we both realized it wasn’t a coincidence."

What makes the situation even more remarkable is the train was supposed to be in Nebraska, Shanda said. Its battery had died however, keeping it grounded after it had arrived in Mason City that morning, she added.

Randy Dodd, a UP worker, had informed Shanda of that circumstance — and stated it didn't seem to be a coincidence.

"I don't think things just happen," Dodd said, according to Shanda. "I think things happen for a reason."

She commended Union Pacific for its support that day, and for coordinating a tremendous sendoff for their son. Workers honked train horns for Elliot, and lined up the 8508 painted on Elliot's gold, red and black casket to the 8508 on one of his favorite locomotives.

She also thanked the community for its continuing support during the past few years, as Elliot continued his courageous fight against cancer.

"If it wasn’t for all the people’s support, we wouldn’t be able to do half of the things we did with Elliot," Shanda said.

And even though he's gone, Saturday's proceedings provided some much needed closure, she added. It was apparent Elliot was right there with them, along with his 8508 train.

"We just wanted to have one last goodbye for Elliot," Shanda said, later adding, "He was OK, and that train was on its way to heaven."

~ ~ OBITUARY ~ ~

Mason City -- Elliot Burgos, 9, of Mason City, passed away Sunday, January 14, 2018 at Mercy Medical Center - North Iowa, Mason City, after a courageous battle with brain cancer.

A funeral service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, January 20, 2018 at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 North Pennsylvania Ave, Mason City, with Reverend Ruth Burgos officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. The family would like to see everyone wear their Prayer for Elliot shirt on the service day, if you don't have this to wear please select a yellow or black shirt for Elliot

Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, January 19, 2018 at Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd Street NE, Mason City. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to the Elliot Burgos Fund at Cent Credit Union, Mason City.

R. Burgos was born August 5, 2008 in Mason City, son of Jonathan and Shanda (Carolus) Burgos. He attended Harding Elementary School and was in fourth grade. Elliot would have been in the class of 2026. Elliot enjoyed playing soccer, baseball, and horseback riding. He could be found playing videogames during his down time and tinkering with his Union Pacific model train set. He would often have his parents sit at the Railroad Crossings just so he could watch the trains pass by. He liked keeping up with his brothers and wrestling around. During the summer Elliot looked forward to camping with his family, friends, and going fishing. During Elliot’s journey, he had inspired a lot of people and rekindled people’s faith. The community and many across the nation rallied in support for Elliot. The family would like to express their gratitude for all the prayers and support during this difficult journey.

Elliot is survived by his parents, Jonathan and Shanda Burgos, Mason City; three brothers, Cameron, Calob, and Samuel Burgos; grandparents, Cherryl (Bob) Poole, Clark (Missy) Conroy, and Georgina (Brenon) Gracia-leacock; five great grandparents, Troy and Linda Fraser, Jerry and Jean Carolus, and Claryce Conroy; seven aunts, Laura (Peter) Swai, Emily (Cody) Gott, Jeanette Burgos, Jessica Rivera, Victoria (Tommy) Garcia, Christina (Freddy) Delgado, and Ivana Ellerbe; four uncles, Tony (Jennifer) Conroy, Ralph (Erika) Burgos, Jason (MaiLynne) Burgos, Ivan Ellerbe, and various great aunts, uncles and cousins .

Elliot is preceded in death by his grandfather, Rafael Burgos; great grandfather, Jim Conroy; great grandmother, Maria Gracia; uncle, Koty Conroy.

Hogan-Bremer-Moore Colonial Chapel, 126 3rd Street NE, Mason City.641-423-2372.Colonialchapels.com

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2018

Cerro Gordo Obituaries maintained by Lynn Diemer-Mathews.
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