The Dutchess County community is remembering Edwin Ramirez Sr., a man who dedicated his life to helping others.

Ramirez, 69, of Poughkeepsie, died in a car accident last week in Fishkill.

“You don’t realize how much of a part of your daily life he is, until he’s gone,” says son Edwin Ramirez Jr.

Ramirez Sr. was a corrections officer, Vietnam veteran, Puerto Rican immigrant and entertainment company owner.

The entertainment company, R&R Promotions, is known for hosting popular Latino festivals throughout the Hudson Valley.

The Poughkeepsie man also created the Hudson Valley Latino scholarship fund with his wife. It began over 20 years ago and aided 151 students thus far.

Edwin Ramirez Jr. says the family plans to keep it going.

“We’re going to continue that scholarship in his name. We’re going to rename it the Edwin Ramirez Sr. Latino Scholarship Fund,” says Ramirez, Jr, “And we’re going to put our full passion, our 120% effort into it just like he would.

Ramirez Sr. is remembered as a passionate person by family members. “We nicknamed him the Bulldog, the Ramirez Bulldog. The reason behind it is that he just did everything with such a passion,” says Ramirez Jr.

To donate or find out more about the scholarship fund, visit their website.