🗓 Reminder: Celebrating Frederick Gao
Hi all,
Thank you for RSVPing to my dad, Frederick (Changan) Gao’s celebration of life next Saturday.
We recognize that we’re in the middle of one of the coldest months in Massachusetts, and we appreciate your efforts to be with us, however, we want you to consider your safety first. Please read the following important notes about next Saturday’s gathering.
Food
For the last five months of his life living through esophageal cancer, he was fed through a G-tube, and was unable to eat by mouth. This was a terrible tragedy, because if you knew Fred, you knew how much he enjoyed the pleasure of a good meal. The food we are preparing and serving at the celebration are his all time favorites: pizza, my mom’s dumplings (shrimp, eggs and chives), and strawberry and coffee ice cream. That being said, we are unable to accommodate dietary restrictions, and if you want to bring something for yourself, or eat before you join us, please feel free to do so.
Weather + Zoom option
Right now we’re slated for some rain and ice so please come prepared
There is no rain date, so if you’re concerned about the weather, please consider joining via zoom. Fred’s dear friend Shudong has offered this link to join virtually
Parking
Parking is limited and carpooling is strongly encouraged
There are two parking locations: 1) Top of the hill next to the house 2) bottom of the hill at the foot of the long driveway (it is a bit of a walk)
If you are able bodied, please consider parking at the bottom of the hill so that elders and people with mobility issues can be closest to the house
Attire + Event Details
This is a private residence and they request shoes-off. Feel free to bring slippers
Please dress casually and comfortably
There will be a light and casual format
A book will be available to write notes for Fred and to reflect on his paintings
A eulogy will be read, and folks can feel free to share memories if moved to
Art viewing throughout - standing room with some seating
Gifts
Please do not bring flowers or live plants. These are wonderful and thoughtful gifts and we are deeply grateful for all who have sent them, however we have no more space to accommodate more
If you would like to make an offering (and no pressure or expectation to do so), the best gift is to contribute funds toward a book that we are putting together for Fred’s art. Updates forthcoming
If you want to contribute, please make a check out to Boyuan Gao
Or you may send a Venmo or Paypal (@boyuan)
Photo Gallery
If you have photos of Fred (Changan) that you'd like to share, I can include them in his photo gallery on the website. You can include a caption if you'd like
Thanks for reading, and we look forward to celebrating with you. This message will also be posted on his website (frederickgao.com) in the updates section for easy access. Please make sure to forward this message on to the folks that were accounted for in your RSVP.
On behalf of our family, my mom Shurong (Sue) Wang, my husband Malik, and all who have contributed to putting together this gathering, we appreciate all of the love and support.
Boyuan