Gene’s Tribute

My brother, Gene Boggs, was retired and had been living in Manila, the Philippines for over 12 years. He met a very nice lady there by the name of May May and they soon started dating. Not long after, they began living together. They had so much in common and truly loved each other. Gene was older than May May but that did not hurt their relationship. On the contrary, it enhanced their relationship in many different ways.

As the years went by and Gene grew older, his health began to decline a bit but he was still quite healthy for someone in his 70's. His doctors would often ask him, "How do you do it?". He loved to ride his bike, go for long walks, and hike. No matter what health condition Gene was in May May was always by his side. They would often email me to let me know about the next adventure they were having, for example, in Thailand, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or somewhere else in Asia. Gene of course paid for everything. I always admired their trips and wished I could join them someday.

When COVID hit, all of that came to a stop. No more overseas adventures, outdoor excursions, or even dinner and a movie at the local mall. It was very depressing for them. The lockdowns, shutdowns, shelter-in-place orders , etc. were very strict in the Philippines.

But a light at the end of the tunnel came with 2021 ushering in development of vaccines for COVID. Both Gene and May May were excited and couldn't wait to get theirs. May May got hers first with no problems. Gene was next. On April 15, 2021, Gene got his first vaccine shot and May May caught it all on camera. His second shot was scheduled for sometime in May.

After getting the first shot that day, Gene went home and started feeling side effects. May May and her son were concerned and wanted Gene to get checked out by a doctor but Gene thought this was normal. Most people experience side effects after getting the shot so he thought nothing of it. He rested and felt better. The next day he started feeling the same side effects. So he thought more rest, relaxation, and plenty of water would help. And it did. He felt much better. But it happened again on the third day. This time May May and her son said they were not taking no for an answer and insisted on taking him to the hospital. The symptoms grew much worse while they were at the hospital. The medical staff frantically began to work on him giving him oxygen and reviving him from unconsciousness. He went unconscious a number of times and the medical staff was able to revive him each time. But one last time he went under and they were unable to revive him. He died within just a few hours after reaching the hospital and only three days after getting vaccinated.

It was so sudden and totally unexpected. May May was by his side the whole time and still is utterly devastated. She loved him to no end. I could not believe the news when I heard it. It felt as if I had been shot with a taser gun or stun gun or something. I loved my brother and will miss him immensely. Gene was nearly all that May May had emotionally, economically, and financially. With the passing of Gene, the social security payments in which they lived on have stopped. In the long term, she will be OK. In his Will, Gene left everything he had to her including his condo as well as a small investment he had in the US. But it's going to take quite some time for all of that to be sorted out, transferred to her name, etc. As such, I'm more concerned about May May's immediate financial situation. Expenses related to Gene's passing have piled up and she has no way to pay it all off. She even needs to find a lawyer to help her navigate through everything which will be expensive.

Thus, I'm seeking to raise $10,000 to cover her immediate expenses and to help tide her over for the time being. Any amount you can contribute in the memory of my brother Gene to help May May will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you very much for your kind generosity and blessings to you all!

Glenn Boggs