Friday, May 23, 2003 - FONTANA - As a Mexican immigrant who grew up in poverty, it was Agustin Cuevas' dream to build a house that his children could always go back to.

Cuevas was diagnosed in 2002 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, and was the recipient of a wish granted by the Dream Foundation.

"He (Cuevas) didn't have fancy dreams,' said Lorena Brambila, Cuevas' niece. "He just wanted to be able to spend time with his children and grandchildren, but another dream he had was to go to Las Vegas.'

Cuevas, a six-year resident of Fontana, died of the disease in his home on May 16. He was 56.

The Dream Foundation, dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for individuals and families fighting against terminal diseases, helped Cuevas and his wife, Angela Aguila, spend three days in Las Vegas.

"To give a last wish from someone's heart is the best thing you could ever give anyone,' said Jackie Waddill, network manager of the Dream Foundation.

Waddill said there was a large outpouring of giving by the community to the Cuevas family. One woman who worked for Mary Kay didn't have any money, but wanted to give Cuevas' wife a make-over, she said.

The Venetian hotel also made a contribution by allowing Cuevas and his wife to stay at the hotel after reading Cuevas' story in The Sun.

"They absolutely treated him like a king,' Waddill said.

Cuevas died 18 months after being diagnosed with the disease.

Cuevas was born in Guadalajara, Mexico on May 29, 1947. Growing up in poverty, Cuevas was forced to work in fields picking corn with his brother at age 7.

At 18, he began working as a telecommunications administrator for the Mexican government. Because he worked for the government, he was able to visit Los Angeles and got temporary work, cleaning machines in factories and sweeping floors.

In 1997, he left Mexico and moved to the United States.

Cuevas began working at Mission Foods, packing tortillas and then washed cars for a Fontana-based repossession business. In 2001, he was in a car accident and began having problems walking.

He was first diagnosed by his doctor with Parkinson's disease. However, more tests showed he was suffering from ALS.

"The last few months were so hard to watch him get sicker and sicker,' Brambila said. "The whole family was always at his bedside. We prayed with him every single day.'

Brambila said he was a remarkable person, who was extremely dependable.

"He was the person that you could always turn to if you needed help. He taught us how to pray,' Brambila said.

Other survivors include three daughters, two brothers, two sisters and two grandchildren.

Arrangements were handled by Stanley L. Dickey Mortuary of Fontana. Burial will be in Guadalajara.