ARLINGTON - Gemmo Mateo Dayrit, 56, passed away Saturday, June 6th in Arlington, Texas. Gemmo was born on September 26, 1963 to Enrique and Mamerta Mateo Dayrit in the Philippines.

SERVICE - A viewing will be held at the Fort Worth Funeral and Memorial Chapel on Wednesday, June 10th from 6 to 8 p.m.

Gemmo would give you the shirt off his back. Selfless generosity is a Dayrit family trait . Dayrits are always giving; giving food, giving money, giving care, giving time, always giving what they can. Gemmo was the same. Even when he didn’t have much, he’d still give you everything he could. He was a talented chef and viewed cooking as the ultimate act of generosity. Gemmo had many artistic capabilities and enjoyed making beautiful things to brighten people's day. He could turn radishes into roses, watermelon rinds into intricate designs, or a block of ice into swans using a chainsaw. His positive spirit touched the lives of all those who knew him. His perpetual smile will be remembered fondly.

A quote from Pope Francis perfectly summarizes Gemmo's essence, "Nothing in nature lives for itself. Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself; and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is the rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is… Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you.”

SURVIVORS - Son, Kellen Dayrit; siblings, Celia Dayrit, Juliet Dayrit, and Ginno Dayrit; partner, Mary Medelline; and many nieces, nephews and friends.