Earlier this July, the Honorable Felix Fraga, father of our esteemed colleague Bo Fraga from the Baker Ripley centers, passed away at 94.
Felix Fraga was a significant inspiration to many of us, including AAH’s own Leticia Gutierrez, having met him almost 20 years ago when she began organizing around air quality and its impact on our children’s health. While Felix was prepared for his transition to the next life, we know Bo is deeply feeling the loss of his father.
Bo Fraga continues his father’s legacy with his kindness and dedication, having welcomed AAH into the spaces of Baker Ripley to collaborate with the Community Engineers program. This partnership significantly mobilized the community in Pasadena nearly 10 years ago to inform the community surrounding Pasadena Refining as they faced enforcement action due to their long history of pollution citations. Bo has remained a devoted partner in our environmental justice work, always striving to support and elevate the community. Our reciprocal relationship has been greatly valued.
We would like to share a picture of Felix being sworn into the city council, after many years of being named the ‘unofficial Mayor of the East End.’
Felix was a well-respected leader who brought numerous resources and opportunities to our 2nd Ward/East End community. Alongside leaders such as Ben Reyes, Gracie Saenz, and Leonel Castillo, Felix Fraga was a force who tirelessly fought for equity and equality for our Mexican-American community.
Let us keep the Fraga family in our thoughts during this difficult time.