Ignacio Kostandino Barbachan

It’s a boy! Dino was born into this world on June 13th, 1982, third child to Hugo and Popee Barbachan. What a beautiful baby! A gorgeous head of hair and giant brown eyes. During this joyous time there was some devastating news to come months later when he was diagnosed with several disabilities.

There were so many things Dino could do though. He inspired others to try harder. By seeing him work hard to overcome his own challenges, it reminded others to work harder as well. He helped teach us about our own strengths and gifts in this way. Dino also taught us how to be happy because he took joy in simple things – joy in spending time with his family, going to McDonald’s every single morning, going to the store, asking people if they wanted to come to his house and telling everyone he would meet “I love you!”

We could look to him for an example of perseverance and inner strength, as he continued to fight battles in health and limitations that would crush the most of us. Dino showed us what it is to be strong, because strength is not just found in being the biggest, the toughest or the fastest. Strength is found in one who keeps on going, keeps trying, day after day, long after others give up. Strength is found in one who knows success isn’t always big and flashy but knows that sometimes the greatest success is found in the tiniest of victories. In this way, Dino was a hero – just like his parents, his sisters, his family who also kept on going, day after day, through the best times and through the hardest times.

Just think of all the gifts that Dino gave us. Through his vulnerabilities he gave us the gift of insight and showed us things we might otherwise have missed. He helped us to see the beautiful soul of his family. His parents - the ones who bore all of the caretaking tasks, day after day, month after month, year after year. It is a special kind of dedication that enables people to put their own lives on hold so they can do everything possible to care for their loved one. It shows a deep, unrelenting love for a person to say, “If you need help, I will help you. If you cannot talk, I will be your voice. If you cannot stand, I will support you. If you cannot walk, I will carry you. I am here for you, and I will stay with you through it all.” That’s just what his family did, especially his mother and father.

Dino gave us the gift of perspective. He reminded us that most of our problems are not really problems, and to be grateful for what we have. We must savor the sweet, beautiful moments we have every day, because ultimately life is fragile and someday all too soon, we must say goodbye.

He taught us about kindness and patience, because it took a lot of love, patience and dedication for his parents to care for his needs day after day. To nurture someone so completely, and to do it for so long, takes a dedication and depth of love that is hard to comprehend for those who have not done it. It is truly loving without condition, and it is perhaps the most beautiful and pure example of love that exists. Dino made that kind of love exist. He made it possible.

Dino gave us the gift of unconditional love. Unconditional love is loving even when it hurts, even when it’s not easy. It’s loving because you simply can’t help but love. And that is the greatest triumph of any life. To love and be loved. And Dino taught us how to love without words, without limits, without reasons.

And finally, Dino gave us the gift of beauty. His life wasn’t easy, and it wasn’t glamorous. There were a lot of hard times, for him and for his family. But he taught us that we can see past the difficulties and find the beauty, for there is always beauty.

Dino will always be our little warrior. Through the tough times, through the adversity and the challenges and the pain, he shone through with a special light. It’s not fair that he shone brightly for only a short time. He left on his own terms. Passing on Easter weekend, falling asleep in his father’s arms. He is a blessing from above and is now our newest angel running free, laughing, clapping, listening to his music in heaven. No limitations. We can both mourn the loss of his life, and we can celebrate the life he led and the lessons he gave us. For the best gift he gave us was his very life. For all the ways he taught us about life and love, for all the ways he inspired us to be better, and for all the love he gave while he was here with us, he was a gift to each of us. May we never forget this beautiful gift. May we give strength and support to his family as they find their way in this world without him. And may we honor his memory every time we look up to the sky, look past the clouds and see the rainbow.

An evening service for Ignacio will be held Wednesday, April 26, 2023 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, in the Tribute Center, at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133. A funeral service will occur Thursday, April 27, 2023 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Greek Orthodox of the Assumption, 1804 13th Ave, Seattle, WA 98122, followed by a graveside service from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Evergreen Washelli Cemetery, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, WA 98133.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Evergreen-Washelli.com for the Barbachan family.