Christian Gotti Ysrael Mascarenas

Christian was born in Houston, Texas, to Frank Mascarenas III and Brenda Van Rysseghem on May 12, 2003. His journey through life was marked by incredible strength, resilience, and an unwavering spirit. Born with a congenital heart condition, he underwent his first open-heart surgery when he was just one week old. Despite these early challenges, Christian's determination and fighting spirit shone brightly. At six months, he bravely faced his second open-heart surgery, followed by a heart transplant at 16 months. Although he encountered numerous health battles, they never defined him. Christian's passion for life was evident in his love for baseball. Despite his health challenges, he was determined to play and proudly joined his first Little League team at a young age. His laughter and sense of humor became his trademarks, as he had an uncanny ability to make those around him smile, even in the toughest of times. Christian's resilience continued to amaze everyone around him. At 12 years old, he faced another heart transplant, but once again, he did not let this setback slow him down. At the age of 19, Christian received the joyful news that he was going to become a father. In September 2022, his daughter, Aleyah, was born, making him the happiest he had ever been. She became the most important person in his life, and he took great pride and joy in providing the best for her. Christian's courage, humor, and zest for life will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His legacy is one of perseverance, joy, and the reminder that even in the face of adversity, life is worth living to the fullest. Christian is survived by his father, Frank Mascarenas III; his stepmother, Jackie Mascarenas; his mother, Brenda Van Rysseghem; and his siblings, Frankie Mascarenas, Angel Mascarenas, Destiny Mascarenas, Nathan Mascarenas, Alyssa Robles, and Karina Robles. He is also survived by his nephews, Jovann Mascarenas and Santiago Mascarenas; his niece, Halanie Mascarenas; and his beloved daughter, Aleyah.