An Alabama community is grieving the loss of a man co-workers describe as devoted to his family, grounded in faith and known for showing up every day with a smile.The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Israel Montecino-Navarro drowned Sunday afternoon in the Cahaba River while trying to save his loved ones. Now, the loss is being felt inside the Chick-fil-A restaurant where Montecino-Navarro worked for the past two and a half years.Mike Holmes, owner of the Gardendale and Fultondale Chick-fil-A locations, said the news was difficult to process. Holmes said Montecino-Navarro lived with the same selflessness that marked his final moments.“There’s a lot of honor in that,” Holmes said. “When you think about if that’s how you go, there’s a lot to respect for that, and it kind of matches up with the way he lived his life.”Remembered as a devoted husband, father and providerHolmes described Montecino-Navarro as a man who constantly talked about his family and worked hard to give them the best life possible. Co-workers said that dedication showed in the workplace, too. Holmes said Montecino-Navarro was dependable, took pride in his work, and made an impact on the people around him.“You know that Israel is going to have a smile on his face; he was going to do his job every day; he was dependable,” Holmes said.Holmes added that Montecino-Navarro believed even small tasks mattered.“He touched a lot of lives that way,” Holmes said. “That was his way of showing customer service.”Faith shaped the way he livedAccording to Holmes, Montecino-Navarro’s work ethic and character were rooted in his Christian faith.“It wasn’t unusual for him to spend his break time sitting in his vehicle, reading his Bible,” Holmes said. “That’s where it all began for him.”As co-workers continue to honor his memory, Holmes said the hardest days for Montecino-Navarro’s family are still ahead.“A month from now, six months from now, they’re still going to be grieving, and they’re obviously going to have some financial challenges,” Holmes said.He said the restaurant community wants to continue supporting the family beyond the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.“We just want to make sure we honor his memory by continuing not only to do something now, but to continue making sure that we take care of his family,” Holmes said.
An Alabama community is grieving the loss of a man co-workers describe as devoted to his family, grounded in faith and known for showing up every day with a smile.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office said Israel Montecino-Navarro drowned Sunday afternoon in the Cahaba River while trying to save his loved ones. Now, the loss is being felt inside the Chick-fil-A restaurant where Montecino-Navarro worked for the past two and a half years.
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Mike Holmes, owner of the Gardendale and Fultondale Chick-fil-A locations, said the news was difficult to process. Holmes said Montecino-Navarro lived with the same selflessness that marked his final moments.
“There’s a lot of honor in that,” Holmes said. “When you think about if that’s how you go, there’s a lot to respect for that, and it kind of matches up with the way he lived his life.”
Remembered as a devoted husband, father and provider
Holmes described Montecino-Navarro as a man who constantly talked about his family and worked hard to give them the best life possible. Co-workers said that dedication showed in the workplace, too. Holmes said Montecino-Navarro was dependable, took pride in his work, and made an impact on the people around him.
“You know that Israel is going to have a smile on his face; he was going to do his job every day; he was dependable,” Holmes said.
Holmes added that Montecino-Navarro believed even small tasks mattered.
“He touched a lot of lives that way,” Holmes said. “That was his way of showing customer service.”
Faith shaped the way he lived
According to Holmes, Montecino-Navarro’s work ethic and character were rooted in his Christian faith.
“It wasn’t unusual for him to spend his break time sitting in his vehicle, reading his Bible,” Holmes said. “That’s where it all began for him.”
As co-workers continue to honor his memory, Holmes said the hardest days for Montecino-Navarro’s family are still ahead.
“A month from now, six months from now, they’re still going to be grieving, and they’re obviously going to have some financial challenges,” Holmes said.
He said the restaurant community wants to continue supporting the family beyond the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.
“We just want to make sure we honor his memory by continuing not only to do something now, but to continue making sure that we take care of his family,” Holmes said.
