September 21, 2006

Grassroots fund-raising efforts help pay for Almaden youth’s burial

Kevis Halphen Jr. posed with his best friend Brian Lazarri at this year’s Pioneer High School graduation in June. His death has left Brian and his family devastated.

Almaden lost one of its own earlier this summer as a result of a fatal car crash on Highway 17 near Santa Cruz. Only 20 years old at the time of his death, Kevis Joseph Halphen Jr., a Pioneer High School graduate, lost control of his vehicle when traffic suddenly came to a stop July 27 near Ocean Avenue.

Kevis was known by friends and members of the Blossom Valley Bible Church as a generous, loving person who would do anything for those around him. He was a valued employee at Golfland on Blossom Hill Road. Kevis was a gifted artist who also had a passion for BMX Biking. You could always find Kevis at Stonegate Skate Park or tooling around Almaden, running errands for his single mom, Mary Granville.

Kevis was a loyal son to Mary, who suffers from diabetes-related disabilities. The family lived in the Hoffman/Via Monte neighborhood. Losing Kevis has left a huge hole in Mary’s life.

Those who loved Kevis were determined to see that he was given a proper memorial service and burial. Friends and members of the Blossom Valley Bible Church worked together with Oak Hill Cemetery to do just that. Kevis was laid to rest following a moving memorial service on Aug. 7, 2006. Oak Hill graciously offered a three-month period in which to raise funds to cover the burial costs.

Kevis Halphen Jr. had a passion for BMX biking.

Since that time, Almaden residents Joe and Judy Lazarri have coordinated several fund-raising events, including car washes, and placing flyers on local businesses.

“Kevis came into our lives in 1999, when he befriended our son Brian at Steinbeck Middle School. Joe and I instantly took a liking to him because of his generous nature,” said Judy Lazarri. “Kevis soon became a part of the family, much like a brother to our kids and a son to Joe and I. Having Kevis in my life made me a better person. When he died, there was never a question that we would help put him to rest, but we could use help. We miss him terribly and the grief on top of the financial strain has been overwhelming.”

Donations in memory of Kevis Joseph Halphen Jr. can be mailed to: Blossom Valley Bible Church at 6147 Purple Hills Drive, San Jose, Ca 95119.