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Young Miami Firefighter To Be Laid To Rest

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A 28-year-old firefighter, less than two weeks after doctors discovered a mass on his brain, will be laid to rest Thursday—a day his wife made a public plea on Facebook to pray for her strength.

The entire, very personal ordeal between Miami Firefighter Lieutenant Rafael "Ralf" Garcia, was chronicled on Facebook by his wife, Meaghan Garcia, who is pregnant with their son.

Her touching words read like a personal journal, yet Ralf Garcia, his wife and their unborn son Mason's story, appears to have struck a chord throughout the entire community.

A GoFundMe page was created to help raise money for baby Mason's college fund. As of Thursday morning, the amount totaled over $160,000.

The donors vary--some that know the family, other donations are anonymous, and some are just people or families touched by the love story cut short. "Incredible how people we have not met can often impact our lives so deeply. Paying it Forward to an amazing family! Praying for your continued strength," Faraldo-Padron Family wrote on the page, along with their donation.

Early morning Thursday, ahead of the day the firefighter will be laid to rest, Maeghan Garcia said, via Facebook, that the day will, "surely be the most difficult day of my life. Please pray for my strength."

CLICK HERE to watch Gaby Fleischman's report

Another post followed shortly after, which gives insight into the relationship the young couple had, "I'm feeling really anxious about tomorrow. I open one of my drawers and find the note that Ralf wrote to me for our third wedding anniversary. I start reading, and then get to this: "I believe God does have a plan for everyone and assigns people the crosses they bear, the burdens, and hardships and the journeys. I think we are given what we can handle and our challenged. Some people fail, others soar. With you, I soar. "

Firefighter Ralf Garcia. (Source: CBS4)

A procession was held to honor Ralf Garcia Thursday at St. Kevin Roman Catholic Church, followed by the burial at Our Lady of Mercy. Family and firefighters from around the state gathered for the service.

"He was just a good family man, someone you can trust and he was going to be a great father with a baby on the way," said Lt. Christian Garcia Thursday. "All he ever wanted to do was help people and be a fireman."

On March 15th, doctors discovered a mass on Garcia's brain. The 17th of March, Maeghan opened up to the world through her Facebook page.

She remained optimistic throughout the week. Then Sunday, Ralf Garcia was rushed into emergency surgery at the University of Miami Hospital. On Monday, she confirmed that Garcia was on life support so that family and friends could say goodbye.

Garcia was taken off life support Tuesday and that night his fellow firefighters transported him from the University of Miami Hospital to a funeral home. They drove by his first station, Number 5, and by his last assignment at the downtown station.

Maeghan Garcia wrote on Facebook, "My love is finally resting in peace." She shared that the transplant team came to take his organs and wrote "Ralf will be saving three more lives through his passing."

Assistant Chief Pete Gomez said Thursday that despite the sorrow for both the family and the entire fire department community, that Ralf Garcia is going to be in a better place, "I think God had a much bigger plan for Ralf," he said. Gomez said that Maeghan Garcia has not only her family and her husband's family for support, but also that of "700 some odd firefighters that are behind her and are going to be supporting that child for the rest of her life."

If you are interested in donating to baby Garcia's college fund, click here.

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