Members of the immigrant activist community in Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia region are mourning the death of Jorge Perez-Rico (picture below,) who passed away suddenly and unexpectedly Saturday, July 18 at the age of 54. 

According to the obituary posted by his family, Perez-Rico was known as "Maestro" or "Profe" to many:

“He was also employed at the Gettysburg Times as a translator for the Spanish newspaper El Diario Latino, WZBT 91.1 as a news anchor and deejay, Gettysburg College Center for Public Service, and most recently the Migrant Education Program at Lincoln Intermediate Unit #12 as a student support specialist. He also taught many people computer and photography classes and ran free of charge Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) and swimming clinics. He was a founder of Casa de la Cultura, Gettysburg. Jorge was very committed to helping the migrant population in Adams County. He started a very popular soccer club and was active in his parish, Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church.”

“All of us in the immigrant and advocacy community in Pennsylvania will feel his loss greatly. Our hearts go out to his family and friends,” reads a statement by Pennsylvania Immigration and Citizenship Coalition (PICC).

“In addition to being a terrific leader, activist, friend and colleague Jorge was a loving father and husband,” reads a statement by HIAS Pennsylvania.

“Your dedication for immigrant rights has been and will forever be remembered by your loved ones, the community you built for your family and friends in Gettysburg, and the generations to come”, reads a statement by Maria Sotomayor, Civic Engagement & Community Outreach Coordinator at PICC.

“The immigrant community in Adams County and surrounding region has lost a leader. Immigrant advocates from the Commonwealth have lost a dedicated colleague,” reads a statement by Philippe Weisz, Managing Attorney at HIAS.

In addition to his wife, Jorge is survived by his children Elena, Victoria, Elias and Jose; and his siblings Diego, Irma and Efren.

His viewing was held Thursday at Monahan Funeral Home in Gettysburg, and the funeral was held Friday at Saint Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church in Gettysburg.

Memorial contributions may be made to a fund set up for Jorge's family or to Project Gettysburg Leon, Gettysburg College, Box 2456, Gettysburg, PA 17325.