Over the past three years, Francisco Anguiano Servin befriended many families in Los Gatos and Monte Sereno, so his unexpected and tragic death caught the community by surprise. Servin, 32, an undocumented immigrant originally from Leon Guanajuato, Mexico, died on Memorial Day, May 31, when he accidentally drowned at Woodward Reservoir, just north of Oakdale in the Modesto area.

According to the Stanislaus County Coroner's Office, Servin had been drinking earlier in the day and went swimming with a female friend on the reservoir. Servin became tired in the middle of the lake and was too heavy for the woman to drag to safety. His body was located in deep water where he had drowned.

Servin is survived by his wife, Maria, 30, who he fondly called "mio corason" or "my heart" in Spanish, along with his three children, Maira, 11, Sergio, 8, and Stephania, 3, who currently reside in the city of Leon in Central Mexico. Servin is also survived by his brothers Arturo, 35, and Dionicio, 30, who live in San Jose.

At the age of about 29, Servin started working in construction for Monte Sereno resident Frank Pollifrone, when the Pollifrone family was remodeling their house. Servin also got to know the Pollifrone's next-door neighbors, the Petulla family. The friendship continued as Servin took on odd jobs, including painting and construction work for both families.

As a camaraderie developed, Servin, with some prodding, told Pollifrone about his ill-fated past. Six years earlier, Servin had been mistakenly shot on his way to work and almost killed by roadside bandits or "banditos" in Mexico. It was later discovered that the perpetrators were not bandits; rather, they were police who had accidentally shot Servin in a coverup of mistaken identity. While Servin lay bedridden in a coma for three months, his wife cared for their children. Servin recovered to live the remainder of his life in severe pain from the injury, but during his hospitalization medical bills had accumulated and the government had taken away his home, leaving Servin's family on the street.

"[Francisco] decided he had to come to the United States," said Pollifrone.

Pollifrone explained that Servin needed to earn enough money to regain his house in Mexico, so he illegally crossed the border. Servin paid "mules" or "coyotes" to secure his safe passage to California. He was determined to rebuild what was taken from his disadvantaged family.

"I taught him English, and he taught me Spanish," said Pollifrone, recalling his conversations with Servin.

In the winter of 2003, Larry and Charlotte Petulla felt Servin should not spend Christmas alone, so they paid for his journey to Mexico. That was the last time Servin ever saw his family. He came back to California in March, resolving to labor in the United States for one final year as an illegal immigrant before returning to Mexico to recover his family's home.

It was Pollifrone who received a phone call from the coroner's office after the Memorial Day accident, notifying him of Servin's death.

"They found my name in his wallet," Pollifrone said.

The last time Pollifrone had seen Servin was May 27, just before the holiday weekend. Servin had helped Pollifrone bury the family's cocker spaniel, which had coincidentally drowned in the backyard pool.

"That was the last thing he did for me. He buried the dog for me that had drowned," Pollifrone said. "You wonder, what does this mean? It's tough when it touches you like that."

Pollifrone described Servin as having a wonderful attitude, humility, a strong work ethic and a charming sense of humor. The Petulla and Pollifrone families have opened a trust fund for Servin's wife and children, whose future is now uncertain. The fund will also pay for Servin's body to be flown home to his family.

Donations can be made by sending checks marked for the "Anguiano Fund" to Rehabilitation Venture Consultants, 266 Saratoga­Los Gatos Road, Los Gatos, CA 95030.