Michael Ferdinand PickeringCasino Security Guard❤️

Hello everyone, my name is Viny Cuellar and i’m a security guard at the Pickering Casino Resort and fellow co-worker of our big brother Michael Ferdinand.

My work family and I have decided to move forward with starting this gofundme to help the process of healing and ease a little bit of pressure off of his wife Mara. And so that we may do the very least in supporting our brother.

a little bit into the light that Mike was for us: Mike was such a bright light and electric soul to everyone’s life he came across. you really didn’t have to know Mike very well to feel his love and genuine personality radiate from within him.

Mike made each and every one of us feel seen and heard, he was constantly checking in on every individual he encountered in his daily life, and made each and every one of us feel so so special.

On peoples bad days, he never failed to make you escape whatever it was you were going through even be it for the few minute conversation you would be having with him. Giving you no choice but to give into his infectious love, personality and bright soul.

(Me personally, i have never had anyone make me laugh so hard and smile so big the way he did for me. i tried so hard everyday to try and give him the same feeling. and i can guarantee most of us feel the same way)

Apart from making us feel loved and seen, Mike was also one of if not, the bravest person myself or many of my coworkers have ever come across. Mike never hesitated to stand up for anyone of us and always ensured that we were treated with respect and dignity while performing our daily duties. He also never left us alone. Upon answering to calls, Mike was always the first one to step up and support us with incidents and altercations that occurred in our day to day work shift. This is cherished by us greatly and he will always be admired for his bravery along with so many other beautiful attributes that made our brother a hero.

Mikes bright soul was taken from us way too soon and left us with a massive void in our hearts but his bravery and love will always live on in our everyday life for the rest of our lives.

Our brother was taken from us from way too soon by a senseless act of gun violence that had no reason to ever be escalated to that extent. Mike was simply doing his job and ensuring the protection and security of his team and everyone’s else’s lives who were in the casino that night, have ever been to the casino or ever would have been to the casino.

The road to recovery will be long and painful but i believe that Mikes love is and always will be all around us. i know this for a fact because his love and beautiful soul was definitely present with us on the night of his memorial. Thank you again to everyone for attending and showing your love and support during this extremely difficult time.

Although be it not our direct business. We hope that Great Canadian Gaming corporation and Pickering Casino Resort take care of any costs, bills and funeral arrangements the family may have to bear, so we know that they stand with us during this extremely dark time. As of this moment, nothing has been made aware to us. but we remain hopeful that the company will do the right thing in standing with their community.

All proceeds will be going to Mike’s wife Mara to help ease the pain, and help the financial burden of losing the irreplaceable Mike Ferdinand.

Anything means everything for this cause.

We are all so thankful for every prayer, thought and contribution you all provide. words can’t thank you enough.

You’ll be forever in our hearts Ferdi, everyone here loves and misses you so much and we’re really hurting without you. We vow to keep your memory alive and to live everyday like you would and how you would want us to. We love you big bro. Rest In Paradise.

LongLiveFerdi616306

**Update as of the morning of Oct 13**

My team and I as well as the family of Mike are so overwhelmed, proud and eternally grateful for all the support and contributions everyone has made towards the cause! We definitely feel that our brother would be proud of the great support his community has shown us and his family in this time of need.

Given the recent amount of support and exposure the cause has been receiving, my team and I have decided to raise our goal. we discussed the amount and believe the amount we settled on would be the one and only time we raise our goal. We would like to thank each and everyone of you for showing your heart, love and support and we are so very thankful for every prayer, thought and contribution you all continue to provide. We hope that everyone continues to share Mikes story and are able to get the recognition he truly deserves. Once again, we thank you all! and let’s smash our new goal for our big bro Mike!!!