JOSH AFFONSO

Josh Affonso, who attended Petaluma High School before starting a career in

construction three years ago, died in his sleep Tuesday. He was 20.

Preliminary results from an autopsy show that Affonso had an enlarged heart

and fluid on his lungs, said his mother, Judy Affonso. His uncle, who suffered

from a rare disease called idiopathic pulmonary hypertension, died with

similar symptoms two decades earlier, she said.

Affonso was born in Augusta, Ga., and moved with his family to Petaluma

while still a baby.

He attended Calvary Life Christian School from kindergarten through eighth

grade, and played Pop Warner football as an adolescent.

Affonso began working full time in construction at the age of 17.

''He just had to work,'' his mother said. ''He loved what he did."

Last year, one day after he broke his leg, he cut off his cast and returned

to work. After a serious car accident last month, he was back on the job at

GSM Concrete Pumping the same day.

He hoped to open his own concrete-pumping business one day, his mother

said.

She described her son as macho and muscular, and said he wore a

''mischievous grin.'' She also said he was devoted to his family and friends,

and loved to crack jokes and make them laugh.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his father, Richard Affonso,

and brothers Jason and Joseph Affonso, all of Petaluma; another brother,

Michael Affonso of Chino Hills; and his grandparents, Lorraine Affonso of

Rohnert Park and Larry and Pat Jarvis of Vacaville.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Christ Tabernacle Church

at 1363 Fulton Road in Santa Rosa.