The mother of a 5-year-old boy who lost his life in a residential fire in January is making it her mission to continue his legacy and keep his memory alive, despite all the suffering she has experienced since the horrifying incident.
Last month, a funeral and internment service was held for her young son, Kashmir Marquis, who was tragically killed in a blaze that took place in the Wakefield section of the borough on the evening of Wednesday, Jan. 3. The fire broke out at 4011 Barnes Ave., between East 226th Street and East 27th Street in Wakefield, and Kashmir was killed while lying in bed inside a basement apartment.
Kashmir’s funeral, which took place Feb. 9, included a horse and carriage as well as a dove tribute. The service was attended by his mother, Keyion Gonzales-Marquis, along with several family members and friends. The funeral took place at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in the Olinville neighborhood of the Bronx.
Gonzales-Marquis said that she has had to endure more pain in the last three months than any person should have to face throughout their lifetime.
“This is the worst thing that could happen to anyone,” she said. “I just try to smile as much as I can and hold on to the memories of him.”
Gonzales-Marquis had Kashmir’s casket custom made — a see-through glass oval with LED lighting.
“I had no choice but to do this for him,” she added. “He meant everything to me.”
Following the funeral, family and friends regathered at the Elegant Loft in Mount Vernon to congregate before heading up to Kensico Cemetery for the internment service.
Viewings were also held on Feb. 7 and Feb. 8, taking place at McCall’s Bronxwood Funeral Home on Bronxwood Avenue, located a couple of blocks from the family’s Barnes Avenue residence.
Gonzales-Marquis, who added that the funeral home had been there for her during every step of the process, says she is currently working with elected officials and community leaders to rename the portion of Barnes Avenue between 226th and 227th streets in remembrance of Kashmir.
She said that prior to the Jan. 3 fire, her family had lived in the same Barnes Avenue home for more than 40 years and that the home was a staple in their family.
A week after the horrific event and Kashmir’s death, more than 200 family members and friends, along with community members, came together for a balloon memorial in front of the Barnes Avenue home to remember the 5-year-old.
In June, P.S. 21, the school Kashmir attend prior to his death, will hold a tribute to remember the young boy by holding a ceremony and renaming a school garden in his honor, according to Gonzales-Marquis, showing that his presence is still very much here.
She says that she is currently working with a daycare center in Middletown, NY, in an attempt to establish a fire safety program. Additionally, she is looking to hand out fire safety kits to local families in October in recognition of Fire Safety Week (Sunday, Oct. 6 to Saturday, Oct. 12). Furthermore, she aims to spread fire safety awareness in honor of Kashmir, so that no other parent has to endure the loss of a child stemming from a fire.
To commemorate him, family and friends of Kashmir have also used the hashtag #Kashmir on Instagram posts in his honor.
“At least I know that his funeral was the hardest one I’ll ever have to experience — and that I’ll never have to go through something as difficult as that ever again,” Gonzales-Marquis said. “I’m just trying to stay positive and happy, because that’s what Kashmir would have wanted.”
As of press time on Friday, March 15, the FDNY was unable to provide an official cause of January’s fire, which also led to the hospitalization of three other individuals, although none with life threatening injuries.
Kashmir, who was born on Dec. 19, 2018, is interred at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla in Westchester County, located in the plot right next to Gonzales-Marquis’ late grandfather.
Reach Steven Goodstein at sgoodstein@schnepsmedia.com or (718) 260–8326. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
