Fil-Am Community Mourns Tragic Death of Community member David Gomez After Accident in Queens

A wave of grief has swept through the Filipino community in Little Manila, Queens, following the sudden and tragic death of Danilo “David” Gomez, a beloved community member and passionate advocate for Filipino cultural activities in New York.

Gomez, a native of Pangasinan, Philippines, passed away on July 15, 2025, after suffering a fatal head injury in a slip-and-fall accident at a popular music bar in Little Manila, Roosevelt Avenue, Queens. CCTV footage revealed that Gomez was walking down a flight of stairs with a friend when he lost his footing, fell, and struck his head on the floor, losing consciousness.

He was immediately rushed to Elmhurst Hospital, where he was placed in intensive care and remained in a coma for several days. Despite the efforts of medical staff and the prayers of loved ones, Gomez succumbed to his injuries, surrounded by his grieving family.

Gomez had just returned from a recent trip to the Philippines and was well known for his tireless involvement in Filipino community events and advocacy work in New York. His untimely death has left a profound void in the hearts of friends, fellow advocates, and members of the community he so passionately served.

“He was more than just a friend—he was family to many of us here,” said one of his fraternity brothers from Beta Sigma. “David was always the first to show up and the last to leave when it came to helping others or organizing cultural events.”

In light of the tragedy, Gomez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral expenses, the transportation of his remains back to the Philippines, and burial costs. They are appealing to the public for support during this difficult time.

“We want to give him the dignified and heartfelt farewell he deserves,” the family said in a GoFundMe post. “But the financial burden is overwhelming. Any contribution—no matter how small—will help ease our load and allow us to focus on mourning and remembering David with love.”

Messages of support, condolences, and donations have begun pouring in from across the Filipino American diaspora, reflecting the deep impact Gomez had on those around him.

Details of the donation drive and memorial service will be announced in the coming days.

As the Fil-Am community reels from this heartbreaking loss, many are holding on to the legacy of a man who gave so much of himself to uplift others—and whose light, though gone too soon, will never be forgotten.

For those who wish to support, please visit the GoFundMe page to donate and help fulfill the family’s wish to bring David home.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-loving-memory-of-danilo-david-gomez