Newport teen was chasing the American dream; he didn’t live long enough to grab it

He was reaching for the American dream and sadly did not live long enough to achieve it.

19-year-old Walter de Jesus Lopez Davila of Newport, RI, passed away on Friday at Rhode Island Hospital surrounded by his family and friends. A cause of death wasn’t immediately available.

According to a GoFundMe fundraiser, Walter immigrated to this country 5 years ago from San Guayaba, Palencia, Guatemala with the goal of achieving the American dream.

Since moving to Newport, Walter attended William Rogers High School.

Those who knew him described him as kind, respectful, friendly, and always willing to help others. He was passionate about soccer and music, and a lover of horses and the Guatemalan national bird, the quetzal, for its colors and beauty.

A funeral Mass will be held on September 24th at St. Joseph’s Church in Newport at 5:00 p.m. followed by a wake at Memorial Funeral Home.

Family members are looking to bring Walter back to his hometown to be buried next to his mother in Guatemala.