"To die
completely, a person must not only forget but be forgotten; and he
who is not forgotten, is not
dead."
- Samuel Butler, Note-Books (1912)
|
“To live in hearts we leave behind
is not to die.” - Thomas Campbell (1777-1844)
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THE NAMES LISTED HEREIN HAVE BEEN GATHERED FROM INNUMERABLE SOURCES AND
HAVE BEEN RESEARCHED AS MUCH AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE TO AVOID THE POSSIBLE
BEARING OF FALSE SAD NEWS TO SOMEONE. THEREFORE, IT IS FERVENTLY REQUESTED
OF THE READER TO CONTACT THE EDITOR AT accitenor2@att.net
WITH ANY CORRECTIONS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
DUE TO THE MULTIPLICITY OF COMMON CUBAN NAMES ENTRIES OF NAMES SUCH AS
(FOR EXAMPLE) JOSE RODRIGUEZ, MARIA GONZALEZ OR JUAN PEREZ COULD ACTUALLY
APPLY TO MORE THAN A DOZEN PEOPLE. THE NAMES SHOWN HEREON HAVE BEEN DULY
RECORDED AND RESEARCHED BUT A SMALL PERCENTAGE HAVE NOT BEEN VERIFIED DUE
TO SAID MULTIPLICITY AND LACK OF SECOND LAST NAMES PROVIDED AND NOT YET
AVAILABLE ON THE MIAMI HERALD PEDRO PAN NETWORK CREATED BY GEORGE GUARCH'S
CAREFUL AIRPORT LOG. FURTHERMORE, SOME OF THE LAST NAMES PROVIDED MAY
REPRESENT MARRIED LAST NAMES. YOUR CORRECTIONS AND COMMENTS ARE CERTAINLY
APPRECIATED.
Manny Gutierrez, Editor
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"El Coqueto"
- Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL
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JAVIER _________??
- Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL
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RAMÓN _______ ?
(Chicago. IL)
Matecumbe -
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ESTRELLA (ABELLA DELGADO) SIMPSON "Stella",
"Yara" (c1948 - 2/14/2012)
Florida City (2/62 - 7/62) - Richland, WA (7/62-6/63)
|
JOSE R. LUIS ABELLO
"Mandril" ( - 2007)
(
- St. Vincent's Villa, Ft. Wayne, IN)
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JUAN ANTONIO F. ABREU ALBERT (Miami, FL) (06/23/1948 - 01/23/1980)
Matecumbe (3/62 - 7/62)
Died in car accident due to a drunk driver!
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ROBERTO A. AGRAMONTE (Miami, FL) (9/19/43
- 12/15/2012)
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL - Camp St. John, Jacksonvile, FL
Worked for The Department of Agriculture.
|
IGNACIO AGUIRREGAVIRIA
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL - Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL
|
RUBÉN AGUIRREGAVIRIA
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL - Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL
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MARÍA T. AJAMIL ANNRICH (Minneapolis, MN)
(1947-2007)
(went with friends to Coral Gables)
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LUIS ORLANDO ALBO FARIÑAS "El Cácara"
(San Juan, PR) )(1946 -12/1999)
Kendall (12/61 - ) - Matecumbe - Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE
Very successful CPA.
MIENTRAS APRECIEMOS SU MEMORIA.
In Memoriam de un amigo, Luis Albo Fariñas.
“He who has gone, so we but cherish
his memory, will live among us
more present
than the living one.”
-THE WISDOM OF THE SANDS.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.
El último correo electrónico abrió en la pantalla de mi computadora.
Tenía pocas palabras.
“Falleció esta tarde.”
Sentí detrás de mis ojos una violenta explosión ácida que me cegó.
Nunca antes me había venido esa tristeza enorme y total después de una
mala noticia. Ya esperaba leer eso……pero no hoy. Cuando me senté
frente a la computadora la guía me dijo que tenía 13 mensajes. El
quinto y el séptimo me habían previsto del estado grave de Luisito;
ambos eran de gente de confianza. Sin embargo el décimo fué el que me
sorprendió al no estar preparado.
?Por qué me hizo tal efecto esa nueva? Como todos, yo también sabía
que la lucha personal de Luisito contra la traidora enfermedad no iba a
ser efectiva. Ya en Noviembre se habló de su empeoramiento. Los últimos
mensajes decían que no rebasaría al mes de Diciembre, estábamos todos
preparados, en lo que cabe……..menos para ese irse de pronto!
Yo conocí a Luis Albo Fariñas en Cristo Rey, el sitio donde cayéramos
una veintena de muchachos
cubanos en la lejana e incomprensible ciudad de Lincoln, Nebraska, en el
año 1962. Tenía yo quince años acabados de cumplir. Luisito, Pastor y
el "Pochi" ocupaban el último apartamento de una casita de
cuatro en aquella calle central frente a la mansión del gobernador del
estado y a la sombra del capitolio estatal. Yo vivía en la segunda con
Julio y Vidal, separados de Luisito por unos feroces mamíferos
denominados Gonzalo, Manzano y el "Capa".
Treinta y siete años después todavía me acuerdo, como si viera una
película en tres dimensiones, caminar hasta el Sunnybrooke a tomarnos
una Coca-Cola y visitar al "Joacopú", otro carácter
impresionante de nuestra época del exilio nevado. Muchas veces acompañado
por Luisito, que era de aquel grupo tan colorido de jovenzuelos
desbocados uno de los más simpáticos……y el más noble.
Nunca le oí en aquellos duros meses decir a Luis algo en contra de otra
persona. Ni de los muchachos del grupo, ni de los americanitos del
colegio, ni de la pandilla de los mejicanos cuando, a raíz del estreno
de West Side Story se congregaron pandillas en Lincoln de diferentes
“razas”. Si su ejemplo era noble, su comportamiento fué aun mejor.
Él nunca participó en las novatadas dolorosas de todo grupo colegial o
juvenil. Nunca se supo que él abusara de uno menor ni siquiera
de palabra; y en los campamentos del exilio hubieron muchísimos
abusadores. Luis Albo gozó su vida y alegró a las de los demás a su
alrededor.
Hace unos meses tuve el privilegio de enterarme de él al comenzar yo
con otro Matecumbero un website para unir a los muchachos de los
campamentos. Como esperaba, el “Cácara” seguía siendo muy querido
y popular y además estaba considerado en su trabajo como una lumbrera
de inteligencia y dedicación. Logré contactarle por teléfono un par
de veces y me contó lo de su enfermedad. Le pregunté si le molestaría
que hiciera más público su dolor pidiendo a los contactos del website
que rezaran por él y me dijo que le gustaba la idea. Mi mayor
recompensa de haber comenzado esta aventura electrónica para reunir a
los 14,000 pedropaneros del 61-62 es ahora, y siempre será, el haber
vuelto a saber de Luisito, aunque poco, y sentir que le pude acompañar
un algo…..en sus últimos pasos.
Cierro los ojos fuertemente para contener el dolor y los aprieto aun más……y
veo unas huellas en la arena, de alguna playa de Puerto Rico, patria
adoptada de Luisito y tierra muy conocida donde nació mi abuela
paterna. Las huellas convergen y las sigo. En lontananza hay dos figuras
fantasmagóricas, una que camina firmemente y una que titubea un poco.
Acelero mis pasos y me acerco. Un señor de pelo cortísimo y mirada
noble - Luis Albo - se acoge al brazo protector de un flaco alto y
barbudo de pelo largo que tiene 20 años menos que él. Este joven viste
una túnica blanquísima y calza sandalias de madera y de cuero. es
aquel que dijera una vez "Yo soy el Camino, la Verdad y la
Vida", aquel que nos abriera las puertas y diera voz a nuestras
esperanzas. Y es este el más joven el que da paz y sosiego al mayor.
Le aprieta el hombro sonriendo y le dice suavemente : “No temas, ya
estás conmigo.”
Y,
al abrir mis ojos, las figuras desaparecen,……..al igual que mi honda
pena.
Manuel A. Gutiérrez
Diciembre 13 de 1999
|
ROBERTO ALCANTÚO ARIAS (8/45 -
1/76)
Matecumbe - Villa Virgen del Cobre,
Albuquerque, NM
|
RAUL J. ALCEBO CÉSPEDES
(1951 - )
Kendall (10/61 -
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LUIS GABRIEL ALDIN PÉREZ (1945 - 1986)
Kendall - Ft. Wayne, IN
Died of Leukemia at 41 |
FRANK R. ALEMÁN "El Ingeniero" (1953 -
10/13/2012)
Camp San Pedro, Jacksonville, FL |
REINALDO F. ALEU RODRIGUEZ
(1952 - )
Florida City (5/62 - |
RAFAEL D. ALFONSO GONZALEZ
(1948 - )
(went with friends) |
ROBERTO L. ALFONSO ORTIZ
(12/10/1953 - 2007)
(Florida City 7/62 - foster home in Richland, WA) |
ALVARO ALMAGRO
|
LEANDRO JESÚS ÁLVAREZ PÉREZ (6/8/1944 -
11/16/2017)
(Maristas de Holguín - Matecumbe)
|
|
MARIA ELENA ÁLVAREZ CONCEPCIÓN
(1948 - )
Florida City (4/62 - ) - San Antonio, TX
Passed away in Puerto Rico
|
JOSÉ LUIS ARANGO SILVA
(1947 - 5/14/1986)
Kendall (2/61 -
|
RAFAEL ARBOLEA FERNÁNDEZ
(1952 - 12/03/2009)
Florida City (3/62 - ) - St. Vincent de Paul, Vincennes, IN
Rafael was a childhood friend and neighbor
of the three Garrandés children in Cuba and had only recently found out
about being a Pedro Pan and had begun to do research and contacted other
PPs when he had a fatal heart attack while driving to work.
|
ANTONIO ARECE REGUERA
(1951-2008)
Florida City (4/62 -
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ASNALDO J. ARIAS ALONSO
(11/1946-05/2001)
Matecumbe (7/62 - )-Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque,
NM
Heart Attack.
|
JUAN B. ARRIBÁLZAGA SUAREZ
(8/46 - 7/92 )
Kendall (3/61 - ) - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
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AGUSTÍN FRANCISCO ARRIETA RODRÍGUEZ
(08/17/46 - 03/06/2018)
Kendall [not in Herald database]
Veteran - Buried with Military Honors
|
JAIME ARROJO AGUILA
(1952 - )
Florida City (3/62 - |
MARIO AVELLO MURO (1950 - 2004)
Miami 11/61 |
RODOLFO BALLINA
|
ROLANDO H. BARBERIS DIAZ
(1947- )
Matecumbe (7/62 - ) - St. Raphael's - Opa Locka
Diamond Merchant |
RANDY BARCELÓ
( -1994)
Custom Designer
|
JOSÉ J. BARROS MONTEQUÍN
(1950 - )
Kendall (1/62 - ) - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
|
HUMBERTO BELTRANENA CAMACHO
(1949-1985)
Matecumbe (3/62 -
Chief of Anesthesia at Fisherman's Hospital, Marathon, FL
|
JUAN BENEDIT TORRES
(1946 - 3/96)
(8/61) went to Atlanta, GA
|
SANTIAGO BILBAO HARVES
(1947 - )
Matecumbe (8/62 - ) - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE
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CARIDAD BOCANEGRA COSTALES
(1954 - )
Kendall (9/61 -
|
ADA M. BONET FERNÁNDEZ (1/10/52 - 12/8/82)
Came with uncle on plane (6/62)
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MANUEL EVELIO BORREGO MARTÍNEZ (c1946 - 10/22/11)
Kendall (7/61 - )
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RAMIRO ÁNGEL BRAÑA "El Portorro"
"Sapo Toro"(1946 - )
Kendall (7/61 - ) - Matecumbe - Casa Carrión
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LINDA BUDAGHER
|
MANZUR BUDEJÉN TRUJILLO (c1949 - 4/2015)
Florida City -
After a long battle with Cancer.
|
EVALDO A. CABARROUY DEL VALLE
Puerto Rico (
-08/09/2002)
Kendall (4/61 - ) - foster home, Albuquerque, NM
University Teacher with a Doctorate from Austin, TX
|
ENRIQUE CABRERA
"Mosquito"
- St. Vincent's, Ft. Wayne, IN
|
RAUL R. CABRERA RODRÍGUEZ
(1956 - )
(10/62) went with uncle in Hialeah |
WILLIE CAMEJO
|
AVELINO CANAL ACEVEDO (c1945 - 1997)
Matecumbe (8/62 - |
EDUARDO E. CANLER (3/7/1951 - 5/7/2015)
Matecumbe - St. Vincent's, Lansing, MI
|
JORGE DE J. CAÑAS MARTÍNEZ
(1949 - )
CWB Mendigutía (4/62 - ) - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE
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OSCAR A. CAÑIZARES JIMÉNEZ
Kendall (7/61 - ) - Whitehall, FL
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DULCE MARIA CARNEADO
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JOSÉ RAMÓN CARREÑO CUETO
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JOSÉ CARRO MOGENA
(1950 - 2009)
Florida City (4/62 -
Former president of the Cuban Pediatric Society in Exile
Member of the Division of Clinical Immunology and Transplant Program at
the Miami Children's Hospital.
[see CAREER PATHS - MEDICAL]
|
RAFAEL CARVAJAL RAMOS "El Camello"(c1947 -
10/01/2013)
Matecumbe (8/18/62 -) - Villa
Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
(6/64 - )
Studied Criminal Justice at Florida International University
Customs agent. Retired.
|
KENIA MARÍA CASARREAL (01/03/1946 - 04/20/2010)
- St. Vincent's School in Vincennes, IN
Psychologist, Educator and Arts Patron.
[see CAREER PATHS - MENTAL HEALTH]
|
SERGIO R. CASIANO VALDÉS (1947 - 2001)
Matecumbe (2/62 - )
|
GLORIA CASSINI - see OLGA PÉREZ QUIZA
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ÁNGEL CASTRO
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL
|
(hermano de)Ángel CASTRO
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL
|
JORGE CASTRO RODRÍGUEZ (c1946 - )
Matecumbe (1/6/62 - 1/63 ) - St.
Vincent's, Ft. Wayne, IN (1/63
|
RODOLFO M. CERVANTES CEPEDA
(1945 - )
Kendall (6/61 - ) - Ft. Wayne, IN
|
ALICIA E. CHAMBERLAIN MARTINEZ
(1947 - 2006)
Florida City (2/62 - ) - WA
Succumbed to Breast Cancer
|
LIVIA M. CHAMBERLAIN MARTINEZ (1946 - )
Florida City (2/62 - ) - WA
|
ÁNGEL CHÁVEZ "Omar" ( -
11/26/2011)
- Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL
|
LIZETTE (CHEA TERRERO) ARCINIEGAS (1/11/53 - 8/25/11)
Florida City (8/62 -
|
ZOILA ELENA CLARK DACOSTA
(1948 - 1988)
Florida City (9/62 - ) - Indianapolis, IN
|
ROBERTO COBA VILATO
Kendall (4/61 -
|
HUGO G. COLOMA MESA
(1946 - )
Matecumbe (8/62 - )
|
ALEJANDRIA C. CONTRERAS PILOTO
(1947 - )
Florida City (4/62 - ) - Villa Maria, San Antonio, TX
|
OSCAR I. CORTINA PEREZ
(1949 - )
Matecumbe (7/62 - ) - Río Rancho, Albuquerque, NM
|
OSCAR COSSIO GANDIA
(July 18, 1948 - May 2, 2010)
Matecumbe (8/62 - ) - St. Thomas Orphanage, Lincoln, NE]
On
Sunday morning on May 2 OSCAR COSSIO GANDIA (61), another Nebraska
alumnus, succumbed to Pancreatic Cancer. OSCAR is one of those excellent
fellows that are born to be of help to others. Wherever he was and
whatever he could do to bring Pedro Pans together he did with dedication.
He was very patriotic about his birthplace and in his country of adoption,
and was a Green Beret in Vietnam
.
[Camp Matecumbe Veterans June 2010 Pedro Pan Newsletter.]
July 18, 1948 - May 2, 2010 Oscar E. Cossio, a native of Cuba who came to the U.S. as part of "Operation Pedro Pan" in the 1960s, went on to serve in the U.S. Army and established his career and family in Southern California, died May 2 after a long battle with cancer. He was 61. Born in Camaguey, Cuba, Oscar was one of 14,000 children whose parents voluntarily sent them to the U.S. for the opportunity at a better life. At 13, he settled in Lincoln, Neb., at an orphanage with other Cuban children. Oscar remained a loyal alumnus of the "The Nebraska Cuban Connection" and stayed in contact with many of his fellow immigrants. Oscar capitalized on his opportunities in the U.S. He starred on the Lincoln Southeast High basketball team and graduated in 1968. Oscar enrolled at the University of Nebraska then enlisted in the U.S. Army Special Services and served in Vietnam. When Oscar returned, he moved to Southern California. He met and married his wife, Zuni, in 1995 and settled in Torrance. Oscar made his career in facility management, opening and managing large Southern California branches of Xerox and Countrywide among others. Oscar was an avid sports fan, regularly attending USC football games even while battling his illness. He appreciated simple pleasures like reading, Starbucks coffee and family gatherings. He is survived by Zuni Cossio, his wife of 14 and a half years, son Brian Cossio and daughter Jenny Hansen, as well as many sincere friends and close family who admire his courageous life and will miss his warmth, humor and friendship. A viewing will be held May 11 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at Inglewood Cemetery Mortuary at 3801 W. Manchester Blvd., Inglewood. Funeral services and burial will follow on May 12 at 2:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Oscar's name to: USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Office of Development, 1441 Eastlake Avenue, Room 8302, Los Angeles, Calif. 90033. Please sign the guest book at
www.dailybreeze.com/obits.
[Published in Daily Breeze from May 8 to May 15, 2010]
Some of the "Nebraska Cuban Connection" members have
communicated their feelings in an open e-mail forum, writing to the family and to the
rest of us. These comments will remain as a lasting document:
Nuestro hermano Oscar Cossio falleció hoy temprano por la mañana. Que
Dios lo tenga en la Gloria. Una vez que tenga los detalles de dónde
y cuando van a ser los servicios, entonces se los dejo saber lo antes
posible.
Un abrazo para todos.
Angel (Pochy) y Lourdes Garcia. (5/2/10)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's Honor all of our brothers that have passed on by having this
upcoming reunion be a celebration of their lives and our memorable times
spent together. I am sure they would have wanted us to remember them
that way. Hopefully we can all be reunited once again in the
presence of our Creator.
Julio Gonzalez & Family [5-3-2010]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
ADIOS AMIGO
Conocí a Oscar Cossio (nuestro querido Tiburón) cuando éramos
unos niños a su llegada al orfanato de Lincoln,NE.
Hombre sencillo de la tierra de Agramonte, él nunca olvidó
su querido Camagüey.
Oscar tenía un gran corazón siempre contento y sonriente
pero también se ponía al lado de los amigos en tiempos difíciles.
Fui con él y con nuestro otro hermano José Goiriz (Habichuela)
a Irving Jr. high y a Southeast High. Los americanos lo querían
mucho ya que él era el Big O del equipo de basketball.
?Quién puede olvidar sus famosas "aventuras"como las
llamadas
a las 12 de la noche preguntando por "Cheo", o los
"Playa Girón"
en el orfanato, o cuando le escondía las pizzas al grupo?
El fue un hombre con espíritu de niño, !pero qué clase de hombre
que sin ser ciudadano se inscribió en el U.S. Army y llegó a ser
un
Green Beret!
Resumo simplemente no sólo con tristeza por perder un gran
amigo pero con la satisfacción de haberlo conocido.
Un buen hijo, padre, esposo y amigo.
ADIOS AMIGO
MISION CUMPLIDA!!!!
Emilio Subil 5/3/2010
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It is with a heavy heart and great sadness I bring you the news
our Pedro Pan brother Oscar Cossio lost his two-year battle to
pancreatic cancer and went to meet our Maker this past Sunday May
2nd at 6:55 AM.
Please include Oscar's wife Zuni, daughter
Jenny, and son Brian, in your prayers during this
difficult time in their lives.
Oscar Pichardo, Pedro Pan California (5/4/2010)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TO ALL MY
NEBRASKA
BROTHERS/SISTERS IN CHRIST (Cristo Rey!)
I have been away from my computer for about four days and so this
morning I witnessed the outpouring of love and concern for our
"fallen" ones from ALL your E-mails.
Now a brief note about Oscarito. Unlike any of my relationships
with the rest of you, I was at times like his
"father" figure and also like a "brother"
depending on the situation. We spoke on the phone 3-4 times a month
minimum. He was VERY close to my older children (Ana/John/Jim) and
also our "baby" Catherine. (What about those classic
conference calls he set-up many times with six or eight of us at the
same time-great memories!).
After his service to our Country, he visited many times here
in
Fla
and we also went to LA at least twice to see his family.
He shared his life with us (Mary and I) and for that we are most
grateful. What a gentle soul. In case you don't know he cared for
ALL of you and when someone "disappeared" he found you!.
We can not imagine how much he suffered "QUIETLY" with his
pancreatic cancer. PAPITO would be proud of how he handled his
illness.
So today we pray for all these wonderful human beings who represent
a cross-section of who we were in the 60's in good old
Nebraska
and who we are today. We give our condolences to the immediate
families and may the good Lord in his infinite mercy welcome them
and us when our time comes into the new and Eternal Jerusalem.
Your brother in Christ,
Pepe Rodriguez (5/4/10)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ahora fue que abrí nuestros e-mails ya que hemos estados los dos
enfermos, pero por favor déjanos saber qué podemos hacer. Como
tu dices, que Nuestro Señor reciba en su Reino a nuestro
hermano Cossio y él sabe que nunca será olvidado. Nuestros
mas sinceros pésames para toda su familia y que nuestras
oraciones y bendiciones estén con todos ellos
Jose and Emma Sardiña (5/9/10)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
|
CARLOS COSTALES
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL - Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL
|
JOSÉ "Joe" COURET MOREJÓN (c1944
- )
Kendall (6/61 - |
MARIA ELENA COWLEY |
JOSE LUIS CRESAPI GONZALEZ
(1947 - )
Miami (12/61 - |
ODETTE (CRESPO) NANTKES
Kendall (7/61 - ) - David City, NE
|
OLIVIA (CRESPO) LYLE ( - 2018)
Kendall - David City, NE |
DAISY CUAN LI
|
FÉLIX J. CURÍ MONTERO (6/19/44 - 9/29/97)
(3/62) went with uncle in Miami
|
ANTONIO DE CELIS
|
CARMEN DE CELIS
|
JUAN FELIPE DE LA CRUZ SERAFÍN
Murió poniendo una bomba!
|
ZOILA E. DE LA PAZ ALFONSO
(1946 - )
Florida City (5-62 -
|
LILLY DE LA ROSA
|
AGUSTÍN DE ROJAS DE LA PORTILLA "Chuni"
( - 2011)
Kendall (11/61 -
Inventor with several patents in Ophthalmology.
President of Quest Optical in Boca Raton, FL
|
RAMÓN ERNESTO DE LA PORTILLA ( -
6/9/2015)
Belén - Kendall (2/4/61 - ) - Opa Locka
|
LIBITA DE VERA FERNÁNDEZ ( -
08/2002)
Florida City (2/62 - ) - Vincennes, IN
Passed away in Puerto Rico. |
WILFREDO DE ZAYAS y DUEÑAS (08/15/1944-12/05/1984)
Camp San Pedro, Jacksonville, FL
|
GASPAR I. DEL MONTE DIAZ
(1952 - )
Miami (10/61 - ) |
ANTONIO DIAZ PEREZ
(1950 - )
Florida City (2/62 - |
CARLOS M. DIAZ LEYVA
(1949 - )
Florida City (12/62 - |
CARLOS R. DIAZ BILBAO
(1948 - 5/1992 )
(6/62) went with his father in Miami |
OFELIA DÍAZ MARTÍNEZ (c1951 - 11/2007)
Florida City (4/62 - |
OLGA MARIA DIAZ URRUELA
(1948 - )
Florida City (11/61 - |
SATURNINO "Satch" DÍAZ MARTÍNEZ (c1950
- )
Florida City (4/62 - St. Vincent's Home, Saginaw. MI)
|
MANUEL DURÁN
- Foster Home in Albuquerque
|
ARMANDO ECHEMENDÍA
|
SANTIAGO ELÍAS ÁLVAREZ (c1959 - 2014)
(3/62) went with his godmother in Miami
Married to pedropan ESTRELLA GRANDE (Florida City 9/62 - )
|
MARICELA ENAMORADO
|
JUAN G. "Johnny" ESCARRÁ GARCÍA (
- 3/15/2013)
Kendall (8/61 - ) - Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE
Members of the "Nebraska Cuban Connection" have expressed
their feelings in an open e-mail forum, writing to the family and to the
rest of us after receiving the sad news. I include those comments here as a lasting
document to Johnny's memory.
"We are so sorry to hear these news. Lost another brother!!"
MARÍA ELENA (PRENDES) ALBO [3/16/13]
"Our prayers are with the Escarra family and with Juanito in these
difficult times .
We are really sorry in your loss.
God Bless You"
ROBERTO TRELLES and family. [3/16/13]
"He may be gone but will never be forgotten by those that
had the privilege to have been touched by his friendship. My sincere
sorrow to you and your family."
RAFAEL FONTELA [3/16/13]
"Lourdes and I will pray for him. May The Lord hear our
prayers. Our condolences to the family and all of you."
ÁNGEL "Pochi" GARCÍA y LOURDES (COLÓN) GARCÍA [3/16/13]
|
JOSÉ ESCOBAR (1/46 - 1/95)
Matecumbe - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
|
CARLOS J. ESNAOLA CARBAJO (1946 - )
Kendall (11/61 -
|
MARGARITA ESQUIROZ MARTÍNEZ (2/7/1945 - 4/17/2012)
Went with relatives (4/62 -
Miami- Dade County Judge
Cousin of MEL MARTINEZ
|
FRANCISCO ESQUIVEL CATANEO (c1947 - )
Matecumbe - Brondell Hall, Helena, MT]
Suffered a tragic death.
|
ARMANDO ESTADES ZUMALACÁRREGUI
(1947 - )
(3/62) went with uncle in Miami
|
MAGIN FRANCISCO ESTÉVEZ ALOMAR
(1948 - )
Matecumbe (9/62 -
|
ADOLFO MEDARDO ESTRADA REYES
(7/16/1948 - 12/03/68)
CWS (4/62 - )
US Army Vietnam veteran, First cavalry Division (Airmobile) - Rank of E-3.
KILLED IN COMBAT on December 3, 1968 at Phuoc Long, 19 days after
arriving in country.
His name appears in the Vietnam War Monument in Washington, DC, Panel 37W
- Line 34.
|
LOURDES ESTRELLA PIREZ
(1954 - 1999)
Florida City (3/62 - )
Lost her battle with Breast Cancer.
|
MARÍA ELENA (EXPÓSITO PARDO) VILLAGRA (c1946 -10/07/2016)
Florida City (12/15/61 - )
|
MANUEL FANDIÑO LOPEZ
(1954 - May 9, 1993)
Florida City (9/62 - ) - foster home in Albuquerque, NM
Massive Heart Attack.
Manuel volunteered as an Army medic during the Vietnam War, enlisting
"because he felt that this was his country and he must defend
it."
|
ARELIS FELIPE MANES
(1945 - )
Florida City (7/62 -
|
IVO FERNÁNDEZ "Cara de Cote"
Matecumbe - Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL
Vietnam veteran.
|
JORGE FERNÁNDEZ ACOSTA
(c1953 - c1997)
Florida City (3/62 -
|
JOSÉ MIGUEL FERNÁNDEZ IGLESIAS ( - 01/25/1999)
Foster Homes in Miami
|
JUAN FERNÁNDEZ GONZÁLEZ (c1948 - 3/29/2009)
Matecumbe (5/62 -
|
JUAN A. FERNÁNDEZ ROSARIO
(1954 - )
went with his aunt in Miami (3/62 -
|
MARTA FERNÁNDEZ GONZÁLEZ
(c1952 - 10/23/2003)
Florida City (5/62 -
|
PEDRO M. FERREIRA -
Wilmington, DE (c1947 - 11/15/2012)
Matecumbe
(2/62) - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE
Neuropsychologist.
|
EUGENIO FERREIRO
TAPANÉS (c1950 - 11/2012)
Florida City (5/62 - )
|
MARIO C. FIALLO ORIHUELA (1950 - )
Florida City (10/62 - ) - Lincoln, NE
Passed away in Puerto Rico.
|
FRANCISCO FIGUEROA
- Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE
|
CARLOS FOURNIER PEGUEIRAS
(1954 - )
went with uncle in Miami (3/62 -
|
ALEX FOYO TRIGO (7/10/51 - 11/24/2010)
nka Fr. ALexis
Florida City (4/1/62 - )
Joined St. Leo's Abbey in St. Leo, FL in 1976
Graduated from St. Anselm Abbey College in Manchester, NH
St. Vincent Seminary, Latrobe, PA
|
HAYDÉE (GABEIRAS LAMA) ECHEMENDÍA (c1947 - 01/04/12)
Florida City [Suárez] (8/62 -
|
ALFONSO GARCÍA
"Cara Cortada"
Matecumbe -
"Cara" es de mi época en Matecumbe. Un tipo simpático y
buena gente pero serio para las cosas importantes. Me enseñó algo de
inglés porque él llevaba ya varios meses aqui.
Por casualidad me enteré muchos años después, al verlo allá por el
'71 o '72 en una boda de unos amigos que teníamos en común, que su
hermano Manolo había sido pretendiente de la muchacha Pedro Pan con la
que yo me casé!
De los muchos niños Pedro Pan que conocí en los 15 meses que estuve en
el programa, "Cara" fue uno de los mejorcitos. Siento no
haberlo conocido mejor.
|
JESUS GARCIA RODRIGUEZ
(1950 - )
went with uncle in Miami (9/62 - |
JOAQUÍN ALBERTO GARCÍA LARRIEU
(1947 - )
Kendall (1/61 - |
MARCELINO P. GARCÍA LIPUZENA (1947
- )
Kendall (9/61 -
|
MARÍA DEL CARMEN GARCÍA CARRILLO ( -
3/2013)
Kendall - David City, NE
|
MARIANA GARCIA MARGARIT
(1947 - )
Florida City (7/62 - |
ROLANDO GARCIA
|
ANTONIO GARRANDES GONZÁLEZ
(1/24/53 - 11/13/14)
(La Salle del Vedado - Florida City - St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage,
Vincennes, IN)
|
JORGE GARRANDES GONZÁLEZ
(1/24/53 - 7/08/09)
(La Salle del Vedado - Florida City - St. Vincent de Paul Orphanage,
Vincennes, IN)
I had written about JORGE “Bull George” GARRANDES
in the July 2009 Newsletter wishing him Godspeed because of his letter to
us announcing his 25th Running of the Bulls in Pamplona on July
7th. (He actually
completed almost 90 runs in those 24 visits!) However, his sister SUSANA
wrote in, after that publication, to inform me that JORGE was very ill and
was hospitalized with a deadly condition. He passed away on Wednesday July
8 without fulfilling his Last Hurrah, without singing his swan song! I did
not have the pleasure of knowing him personally but only through his
sister’s e-mails.
He had a twin brother named TONY and twin daughters
Janine and Janessa. JORGE had a very kind heart and strongly supported St.
Jude Children’s Hospital, proudly displaying on his desk pics of
“his”children.
SUSANA also wrote to the family and friends that JORGE lived his life
without regrets and always said that no matter what may happen to him, he
wanted everyone to know, "I lived my Life to the fullest!" She
posted it in the Miami Herald Pedro Pan database website on JORGE’s
registration site. Other friends wrote in as well. There is one post,
however, sent
in by SUSANA, of a farewell letter from an Enrique Donoso from Toledo
that is a small literary jewel, in which the author re-defines the meaning
of friendship in ways that touch one’s heart. This is excellent writing,
to be re-read and treasured, worthy of being perpetuated in a Powerpoint
Presentation with pictures of JORGE in Spain
at the Encierro de Pamplona wearing white shirt and pants, a red sash and
neckerchief - perhaps even white Nikes! - laughing and taunting a half-dozen
deadly Miura bulls while great, brassy, ominous and triumphant music
plays!
I have included a copy below.
Such a heartfelt letter is the best witness to the goodness of a man like
JORGE GARRANDES.
JORGE will be missed with great sadness, even though he probably stepped
into that longer, better Life that we all wish to achieve. God bless him!
[The Editor - as published in the August 2009
CampMatecumbeVeterans Newsletter]
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Hasta luego, querido Amigo!!,...
todavía no me hago a la idea de que esta vez tardaré algo mas en volver
a verte, todavía no me creo que no tenga que abrazarte de nuevo para
poner paz en alguno de esos líos en que sueles meterte de cabeza, todavía
te estoy esperando para abrazar y reírnos con José y Manolo en el Mesón
del Champiñón,... porque Casa Paco,... sin Antonio dándonos de comer ya
no es lo que era, ¿verdad?, todavía te estoy esperando en las putas
escaleras esas de la churrería San Ginés, que cualquier día nos
esnucamos al bajarlas, por empinadas y por el pedo, a partes iguales.
No se bien cual es la medida de la amistad verdadera, en estos días en
que la palabra “amigo” está tan devaluada y se usa con desmesura y
despropósito, y se acepta y se alaba la mediocridad con tal de tener mas
“amigos” como si de coleccionar se tratara. Si que he aprendido, que
la amistad no se forja con las palabras, ni con las caricias, ni con
regalos, ni siquiera con la presencia,... la amistad la forjan los hechos,
y lo que compartimos nadie puede cambiarlo.
También he aprendido contigo, que la amistad no es algo que se tenga, es
algo que se siente,... no importa el tiempo que pase y,... han pasado
veinte años y sigo sintiéndote cada día,... y hoy,... mas.
Te he buscado estos días de San Fermín cada mañana en la televisión,
en la plaza del Ayuntamiento, donde sueles correr, pero pasa lo de siempre,...
la cámara va muy deprisa y casi nunca consigo verte, aunque veo al
armario de Jou y sé que andas por ahí. Bueno,... no te preocupes en
demasía, voy a seguir cuidando de Eileen cada vez que venga a España, y
Esther y yo, volveremos a Miami, y conoceremos a tu nieto, Julián,...
nuestro sobrino-nieto, y le hablaremos de ti junto a tus hijas, para que
sigas viviendo entre todos nosotros, de modo,... que ya puedes ir olvidándote
de morirte, porque no vamos a dejar de pensarte ni un instante.
Hasta luego Jorge,... te quiero, amigo mío.
Enrique Donoso, Toledo, España
|
JOSÉ LUIS GARRAUS "El Loco"
Matecumbe -
|
AGUSTÍN GÓMEZ ALONSO
Florida City (1/62 -
|
EVELIO GOMEZ CAMEJO
|
VALENTÍN GÓMEZ NOGUERAS (3/10/1948 - 6/13/2014)
(1/8/62) Miami - Mariana Home, Wichita, KS
US Army veteran
|
ADELAIDA GONZÁLEZ RIVERO "Cosa
Grande" ( 1945 - 08/03/2015)
Florida City (5/62) - Villa Madonna "La Residencia"
|
AMAURY GONZÁLEZ
|
ARACELIA GONZALEZ CORDOVES
(1952 - )
Florida City (1/62 -
|
CARLOS JORGE GONZÁLEZ ( - 12/25/16)
Matecumbe '62 -
|
FRANCISCO GONZÁLEZ CUESTA
(1949 - )
(12/62) went with aunt in Miami
|
IDILIO GONZÁLEZ ÁLVAREZ DE LA CAMPA
(1948 -
7/14/2006)
Kendall (11/61 - )
Idilio passed away due to a massive heart attack on his first Father's
Day as a grandfather.
|
JORGE D. GONZALEZ LLACUNA
(1949 - )
Matecumbe (1/62 - ) - Wichita, KS
|
JOSE "Pepin" GONZALEZ |
MARCO ANTONIO GONZALEZ
Matecumbe - Marquette, MI
|
MARÍA DEL CARMEN (GONZÁLEZ SÁENZ) SUÁREZ (9/12/1953
- 3/8/2014)
Florida City (1/62 - 2/62) - St. Mary's School orphanage in Newark, NJ
|
OSCAR F. GONZÁLEZ MOLINI ( 11/28/47 -
1990)
Florida City (4/62
|
POLITO GONZALEZ
|
ROSALIA GONZALEZ
|
MANUEL "Manny" GORDON "El Chairman"
(6/1946 - 11/20/2002)
Matecumbe - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque,
NM
|
Manuel J. Gordon “El Cota” (Matecumbe – Albuquerque, NM) passed away on November 20th, 2002 of a massive heart
attack.
|
I first knew of my tocayo when we started the Matecumbe website back in August of 1999, Manny was an integral part of the second website that I found on the Internet and I believe it is still the BEST “beca” website ever put together anywhere in the history of Pedro Pan. Manny was very cooperative in providing me with names and e-mails of his other friends and acquaintances from the Villa Virgen del Cobre in Albuquerque. I was fortunate enough to meet him in person in October of 2001 in New Jersey and it was a double pleasure to do so in a Pedro Pan party put together by José Manuel Gómez in Florida City - Oswego, NY that was attended by a dozen grown refugee children. Since his untimely demise I have been reading e-mails from other Villacobrenses which witness to his being an excellent fellow who dedicated a lot of time and effort to keeping the group in touch and aware of each other, even though he was busy with his advanced career at Nabisco.
|
Iván Castro, one of the villacobrenses, is godfather to Manny’s son Mark, and Manny was godfather to Ivan’s son Bryan. Ivan wrote some historical items about Manny: “Manny was from Cárdenas, Matanzas, and graduated from Albuquerque High in 1965. Was married twice. Loved the Dallas Cowboys. Relished the NY image, you know the sleek hair – which he could not comb back – the Mafioso life styles. Really, was the one that started the whole reunion thing for the VVC guys, kept track of everybody, that is why he was the Chairman.”
|
Rafael Carvajal “El Magnífico”, who resides in Miami, has sent what he termed to be Manny’s favorite photo and we are showing it at the end of this Newsletter to share with all Pedropaneros.
|
Álvaro García, “El Profesor”, also from Miami, wrote that Manny was coming down to South Florida on the 29th to attend a reunion in honor of Brother Reinaldo. Al writes that: “Manny did not have brothers or sisters or many relatives. He felt that all of us were his close relatives and he kept us within reach. Even when I was stationed in Korea and no one knew my address, Manny found me. He never gave up keeping us together…” Manny’s dream was to retire to Miami. He mentioned that more than once.
|
Antonio Gómez wrote from Houston: “Al fallecer otro de los nuestros, parte de nosotros se ha ido.” When Tony was in the Army, Manny drove Tony’s parents to Fort Dix to see him because they did not know how to get there. Tony ends: “Creo que Manolo puede estar contento de que siempre vivirá en cada uno de nosotros.”
|
I noticed that Manny was called Grand Chairman by several of the writers.
|
Ángel Carballo “El Pillo”, from San Juan, Puerto Rico first alerted me to his passing away. Angel is also involved in finding and keeping track of Pedro Pan children, very friendly and willing to go out of his way for others and a very interesting and likable person to know.
|
Manuel A. Gutiérrez Diciembre 2002
|
OSCAR GREGORIO VALDÉS (c1945
- )
Matecumbe (5/62 -
|
MARÍA LOURDES GUERRA ( - 2009)
- St. Vincent's Home, Philadelphia, PA - St. Frances Cabrini Home,
Philadelphia, PA
Investment Banker.
|
RAMÓN A. GUERRERO OLAZÁBAL
(1947 -1994)
Matecumbe (7/72 - ) - Walsh's Tigers - went on his own at 18
Artista y Fotógrafo.
|
DR. SERGIO GUMÁ BACOT
(1953 -
08/10/2004)
Kendall (3/61 -
Medical Doctor
|
ADRIANA HAZAS PÉREZ (1948 - 10/7/2014)
Kendall (8/61 - )
Parkinson's.
|
GUILLERMO HERNÁNDEZ GALLOSO
"El Chino" (1946 - )
Kendall (11/61 - ) - Matecumbe - Villa
Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
Asesinado cobardemente por un asaltante en una bodega en Puerto Rico delante de su hijo
pequeñito al agacharse a atenderlo cuando el asaltante le había dicho que no se
moviera..
|
JAVIER HERNÁNDEZ
Camp St. John, Jacksonvlle, FL
|
JORGE L. HERNÁNDEZ FAJARDO
(c1946 - )
(Matecumbe (8/62 -
|
JOSÉ HERNÁNDEZ _______??
|
NICOMEDES HERNÁNDEZ "Nikita"
|
ROBERTO LUIS HERNANDEZ LEON
(1948 - )
Kendall (4/62 -
|
TRINO HERNÁNDEZ CAPOTE (c1947 - 1991)
Matecumbe (6/62 -
|
ARMANDO FÉLIX HIDALGO "Tantor"
(1944 - 2010)
Matecumbe (9/61 - ) - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE
Owner of Hurricane Shelter business in Miami
|
FERNANDO IBARBANGOITÍA GARDE
(c1947 - )
Matecumbe (3/62 - ) - Brondell Hall, Helena, MT
(possibly died in a plane crash)
|
GISELA IGLESIAS VIDAL (1951 - )
Florida City (8/62 -
|
TANIA (INFANTE) ALFONSO (c1948 - 11/13/2012)
Florida City - Villa María, San Antonio, TX |
JOSÉ ÁNGEL INFIESTA (03/01/1949 -
08/27/2001)
(9/61) went with family in NY
Vietnam veteran - Army sergeant.
Meritorious service medals.
|
Ha muerto un hermano Pedropanero. Otro más!. Ya sé de 44 que no volverán a ver la casa de sus padres donde comenzaron su niñez, ni volverán jamás a su Patria. Ya llevamos más de uno fallecido por cada año de exilio, y posiblemente hayamos perdido muchos más que no se
sepa.
|
¿Y qué tiene este Pedropanero de especial?. ¿Por qué el esfuerzo de un Requiem? Pues para mi el saber de su muerte será un recuerdo indeleble, porque aunque nunca le conociera, tenemos mucho en
común.
|
En primer lugar, nació el día de mi cumpleaños (Marzo 1) en el año que naciera mi hermana María Luisa (1949). !Qué casualidad! Además, falleció el día después del cumpleaños de mi padre, que nació el 26 de
Agosto!
|
Como si eso fuera poco, su segundo nombre es igual que el mío, yo me llamo Manuel Angel. Después de todo eso no me sorprendió enterarme que él llegara a los Estados Unidos en Septiembre del 61, porque yo había llegado en Agosto 29 del 1961. Si me tardo unos días mas con los enredos de la Visa waiver al salir, etc., hubiéramos brindado juntos en el avión al salir de las aguas
territoriales!
|
Yo sé que otros han sentido esa lástima y pena por las noticias de los Pedropaneros que han muerto. Sin embargo, cualquier tristeza por su pérdida no se puede ni siquiera comenzar a comparar con el vacío que deja atrás en su
familia.
|
!En toda la Creación no hay, ni ha habido, ni habrá dolor más profundo que el de una madre que entierra a su hijo! Se supone que los hijos entierren a sus padres. Hay algo horroroso AL-REVÉS cuando una Madre está presente en el entierro de su hijo y ve ese tétrico féretro bajar a la oscuridad del hueco en la tierra con el tierno cuerpo de su niño con el que ya no compartirá las alegrías y las penas del resto de su vida. Porque para ella su hijo no es alto y fuerte y decidido y valiente y gana $75,000 al año. Para ella es siempre un chiquillo sonriente que balbucea, le echa los bracitos al cuello y le grita “Mami!”
|
José Ángel también deja atrás a su hijo Chad, bastante crecido pero no del todo formado y preparado para la Vida. ¿A quién le va a pedir consejos que pueda confiar? ¿A los amigotes que saben menos que él?, ¿Quién lo llevará a cazar, a pescar, a ver a los Marlins o a los Dolphins?
|
José Ángel vino a nuestra tierra adoptada a los doce con su hermanito Julio. No “jugó catre” en la selva verde de Matecumbe ni se perdió en las casitas de Florida City como tantos otros. Tuvo la suerte de irse a Nueva York, la capital del mundo con familia. Se tardó 9 meses en reunirse con sus padres. Otra suerte : sus padres vinieron en Junio del 1962. Si hubieran tenido que esperar hasta después de la Crisis de Octubre no se hubieran juntado hasta mucho después……o nunca se hubieran visto otra vez, como le pasara a varios
pedropaneros.
|
Entrenado en Belén, José acabó en la escuela parroquial de St. Teresa después de dos escuelas públicas. Trató primero el Archbishop Molloy High School y no le gustó la disciplina, como a otros tantos. Cambió al sistema público y sin embargo acabó su bachillerato en el Ejército donde se enlistara a los 18. Siendo la época la de Vietnam, acabó sirviendo un año en esas selvas tan lejanas, combatiendo al Comunismo que no podía combatir en su Patria. Un idealista, se mezcló después con un grupo militante que iba a invadir a Cuba, pero no se logró tal
cosa.
|
La madre recuerda ahora aún más fuertemente esos meses donde la familia escuchaba las noticias en el televisor por la noche para asegurarse que el nombre de SU José no estaba en la lista de los perdidos. Al final de la programación exclamaba “Gracias, Dios mío.” Y se preparaba para otro día sin su hijo a su
lado.
|
José Ángel se casó el 15 de Marzo de 1986 con April; contentísimo de que tendría un hijo. El día de su boda, siendo alto y fuerte, llevó a la novia cargada tres cuadras hasta la recepción. Todos le
siguieron.
|
Pero la suerte que le trajera a sus padres antes de la Crisis de Octubre, y le mantuviera vivo en VietNam le comenzó a abandonar. Se divorció de April y perdió custodia de su “Chachito” (Chad) por un tiempo. Después se encontró a su novia de juventud Barbara y a pesar de tratar de revivir un viejo amor y juntarse, las cosas no les fueron bien. Murió de que se le rompiera el corazón de mucha
tristeza.
|
Su madre Carmen…….(¿es otra casualidad que la mía se llame Noemí del Carmen?)……..le dió una misa en St. Michaels en Flushing, donde acudieron muchos familiares y amigos.
|
Sus cenizas serán esparcidas en el mar al sur de Cayo Hueso. Para que las corrientes las lleven junto con su espíritu a la Cuba de su cuna que no volviera a
ver.
|
Manuel A. Gutierrez – Junio 2003
|
JUAN H. ISER CUETO "El Guajiro" (
- 2013)
Opa Locka - Matecumbe (9/62 - )
Liver Cancer.
|
ARTURO ITURRALDE BUSTILLO
|
FRANCISCO L. JIMÉNEZ VELASCO (1948 - 07/16/2007)
(11/61) went with aunt in Miami
Passed away unexpectedly as a result of heart disease.
|
JULIO E. JIMÉNEZ VELASCO (3/1953 - 01/2012)
(11/61) went with aunt in Miami
Grew up in Chicago. came to Miami in 1980.
Law Graduate of DePaul University.
Miami-Dade Circuit Judge
|
MERCEDES JIMÉNEZ SARDIÑAS
(5/62 -
|
REGNIER A. JURADO LAVASTIDA
(1944 - )
Opa Locka - Matecumbe (12/61 - ) - Marquette. MI
US Army veteran
|
HUGO J. A. LA ROSA PARDO (C1949 - 12/2016)
Mendigutía (1/62) - Mariana Children's Home, Wichita, KS
|
MARIO LANGE ACOSTA (1946 - )
Matecumbe (7/62 - ) - foster home in Superior, WI
Died in the Army during a base accident.
|
VIRGILIO JOSÉ LASAGA GUERRA (1946 - 4/07/2015)
(Miami - foster home in Sparks, NV)
[from Camp Matecumbe Veterans newsletter for May 0f 2015:
"Hoy
martes hace una semana que falleció el mayor de los cinco Lasaga Guerra,
VIRGILIO JOSÉ, conocido por "Villo". Había llegado aqui en
Junio del 1961 via Operación Pedro Pan como tantos de nosotros. Los
cinco, llegados en diferentes fechas, terminaron en Sparks, NV y
eventualmente en Miami como el 40% de todos los pedropanes.
Villo es de mi época en
la Víbora, y su familia y la mía están unidos por vínculos que llegan
hasta la gran amistad entre nuestros abuelos paternos, pasando por varios
bautizos y padrinos en común, además de haber vivido frente a frente
desde el 1956 hasta el acabóse fidelino del 1961. Esa casona grande en la
esquina de Rabí y Encarnación donde vivían los Lasaga fue después una
estación de policía y ahora hasta la cerca-pared de concreto y barras de
metal ha desaparacido completamente por falta de mantenimiento.
La hermana de Villo, MARÍA
ELVIRA, conocida por "Misha", iba a Nuestra Señora de Lourdes,
mientras Villo y los otros hermanos varones, MIGUEL ANTONIO
"Miki", JOSÉ LUIS "Pepe" y JAVIER RENÉ, iban a Belén.
Villo fue un personaje rudo y fuerte, quien peleó con algunos
"malos" del barrio y no le temía a nadie. Anduvimos juntos un
tiempo y hasta fuimos unos meses al gimnasio Richard en la calle
Zapote cerca del parque Santos Suárez, donde tantos de nosotros alquilábamos
bicicletas o traíamos patines.
Villo eventualmente sirvió
en el Ejército de los Estados Unidos, aquel que siempre admirara tanto
desde que fuimos niños, cumpliendo su sueño favorito.
Con su fallecimiento,
termina una época de mi niñez truncada, al faltar de pronto un individuo
tan conocido por nosotros, a pesar que últimamente no se sabía nada de
él. Sólo sé ahora que tenía problemas del corazón y de los riñones y
tenía un marcapasos.
Deja atrás cuatro hijos,
tres varones y una hembra. Recemos fervorosamente por él en este momento,
y por todos los chiquillos del barrio que dejamos atrás que no sabemos
han fallecido, chiquillos de aquella Víbora alegre y juvenil de nuestra
niñez que nunca volverá.
Manny"
"Cuando Villo no tenía todavía la edad para
entrar en el ejército conquistó a papi y a mami que firmaran por el. Su
anhelo era poder hacer por Viet Nam lo que no podía hacer por Cuba.
A Villo no le gustaba hablar de su experiencia.
Vimos un cambio en él como en todos que pasan por eso. Perdió un
ojo, no supimos donde estaba por un tiempo, no sé cuánto pero nos pareció
una eternidad. Él como sharp shooter no podía seguir. Al salir del Army,
renunció a sus beneficios por todo lo que este país había hecho por
nosotros.
Su idealismo no fue práctico en el futuro; cuando uno es joven se cree
invencible. Villo mandaba su
salario a la familia menos algo para sus necesidades.
Le agradezco tanto su generosidad no sólo monetaria sino por
tratar de hacer algo por otros.
Lo extraño tanto."
MARÍA ELVIRA "Misha" (LASAGA GUERRA) CALLAHAN - 10/31/16
|
APOLONIO LEGON BENÍTEZ
(5/48 - 10/82)
Matecumbe (5/62 - ) - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
|
CATALINA XIOMARA LEIVA ÁLVAREZ (1946c
- )
Florida City (8/62 - )
|
HILDA MARIA (LEÓN FERNÁNDEZ) ZIPF "Cuqui"(1955 - 3/08/04)
Florida City (4/62 -
|
CAMILO LEZCANO "El Mejicano"
- St. Vincent's Villa, Ft. Wayne, IN
|
'MANUEL LLENÍN ALCÁZAR (c1948 - )
Matecumbe - Yakima, WA
|
JOSÉ MANUEL LLERA (01/25/1947 -
11/1988)
foster home in Miami
|
ADALSINDA (LOMANGINO) KELLY "Alsy"( 1951- 02/15/2004)
Florida City - foster home in NY
|
SERGIO M. LOMBANA BANCES (1956c - 9/01/2000)
(9/22/61) Miami
Operatic Tenor.
|
RAFAEL M. MADRIGAL CANCIO
(1954 - )
(7/61) went with uncle to Chicago, IL |
JOSÉ A. LÓPEZ MARTÍNEZ
(02/16/44 - 01/09/11)
Matecumbe (12/61 -
Electronics Engineer with Panasonic |
ROBERTO L. LÓPEZ-MOLNE
Matecumbe - Lincoln, NE
|
LORENZO LORENZO
Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL |
PABLO J. LORENZO ESTÉVEZ
(c1944 - )
Matecumbe (5/62 - |
ARTURO TOMAS MANGAS ABAD (1953 - )
Florida City (4/62 - ) - St. Vincent de Paul, Vincennes, IN |
MIGUEL N. MARINELLO ROIG
(4/2/55 - 1999)
Kendall (9/61 - ) - St. Mary's Home, Portland, OR |
PEDRO A. MARINELLO ROIG
(3/52 - 2004)
Kendall (9/61 - ) - St. Mary's Home, Portland, OR |
JORGE J. MARRERO RAVELÓ
(1951 - )
IRC (9/62 - |
GLADYS P. MARTÍNEZ IGLESIAS
(1946 - )
Florida City (3/62 - ) - Villa Maria, San Antonio, TX
|
MARIO MARTÍNEZ
Matecumbe - Opa Locka
|
MIGUEL ÁNGEL MASFERRER ÁLVAREZ ( 1945 - 3/13/18)
Hialeah
|
ARTURO MAZABAL
|
ALFREDO MÉNDEZ
|
MIGUEL A. MÉNDEZ-PENATE
ULECIA "Micky" (1946 - 6/1973)
Escuelas Pías
de la Víbora - Kendall (5/61 - ) - Matecumbe - Lincoln, NE
Yo viví en La Víbora (Santos Suárez) del 1955 al 1961, y fui a los
Escolapios hasta Diciembre del 1959 cuando mi padre me cambió a los
Hermanos Maristas, que era su Alma Mater juvenil.
De
todos los chiquillos escolapios, gamberros y mataperros del barrio,
siempre hubo individuos que por su personalidad y acciones eran
especiales. Algunos eran específicamente malos y abusadores, claro está;
pero otros se destacaban por un algo único en especial que los
apartaban de la muchachada y uno se decía para sí mismo: “Ese tipo
es diferente, tiene algo.”
Pero
como los niños no acostumbramos a profundizar filosóficamente a esas
edades, sólo los catalogábamos como “diferentes”, aún siendo
admiradores de ellos y sin saber porqué específicamente.
En todo lugar y en toda época siempre ha habido niños abusadores.
Usualmente el abusador es mayor que tú o más alto. Del grupito de
Escolapios que rondábamos por el barrio inmediato a la escuela, o sea
entre la calle Flores y la Calzada de 10 de Octubre, se destacaron
varios abusadores pendencieros. Pero a los 13 años es difícil que el
abuso vaya más lejos de unas trompadas o que te quiten la bicicleta por
unas horas.
De
entre los “mayores” se destacó desde un principio Miguel Méndez,
al que le decían todos Micky. Aunque andaba con un par de abusadores a
cada rato, nunca se le ocurrió el molestar a nadie ni de golpear a
nadie. No es que no tuviera oportunidad, era que no estaba en él
aprovecharse de su fuerza o tamaño para hacer maldades. Y su
personalidad era tal que nadie trataba de abusar con él. Su sonrisa
especial era la del tipo que está seguro de si mismo. Yo no sé si era
que era muy fuerte, o que sabía pelear o boxear, pero se veía un tipo
con el que no podíamos "meternos". Hoy en día ese aura de
confianza personal lo tienen sólo
los cinta-negras de Judo, Kenpo o karate.
Al
salir de Cuba gracias al programa Operación Pedro Pan me encuentro a
Micky en el campamento de Matecumbe. También estaban el padre Palá –
y luego el maestro Alberto Cuartas – y una docena de amigos o
conocidos de los Escolapios. En el campamento también fue de notar que
ni Micky abusaba con nadie ni nadie se metía con él, y entre 300
muchachos siempre hay docenas de abusadores.
Algunos
de los muchachos salían “de weekend” desde la noche del viernes a
la tarde del domingo con tíos o amigos de la familia. En ocho meses yo
salí sólo media docena de veces. Un sábado me vió Micky en la cabaña-oficina
del padre Palá sin nada que hacer y me preguntó que si quería salir
de weekend. Creo que se le ocurrió de pronto.
Cuando
vinieron a recogerlo, a él y a su amigo escolapio del barrio, Jesús
“Chuchi” Prieto, nos llevaron a mi y a otro jovencito que creo era
primo o algo, a una casa de un pariente frente al Orange Bowl donde me
pasé un buen weekend comiendo bien
- mucho mejor que en el campamento - y viendo televisión.
No
olvidaré ese gesto de Micky.
La
suerte quiso que Micky Méndez acabara en la “beca” Pedro Pan de
Lincoln, Nebraska donde caí yo, y tuve más oportunidades de conocerlo
mejor. Tenía un hermanito simpatiquísimo al que le llamaba
“Cabeza” – Micky era jodedor cómico – y trajo a “Chuchi”de
la beca de Albuquerque para estuviera con él.
Supo siempre ser un buen amigo.
Micky
fue siempre bien parecido y muy sonriente. Entre él y otro jovenzuelo
de nombre Rafael Fontela, un rubio de ojos claros, rompieron más
corazones de americanitas – y una que otra cubanita – que se puedan
contar en dos manos.
Desafortunadamente
encontró la muerte en un accidente automovilístico en plena juventud.
Me contó mucho después su hermanastro José – que se casó con otra
Pedro Pan de Nebraska, Raquel Bretos – que en su entierro lloraron
muchas de las mujeres allí presentes, con un llanto profundo y
desgarrador.
Micky
Méndez es uno de esos personajes inolvidables que uno encuentra en esta
vida. Sinceramente me gustaría poder verlo en la otra.
[Manuel A. Gutiérrez]
|
FLORENCIO MENDIBURT MENDEZ
(1948 - 1990)
Kendall (10/61 - |
ANA MARIA MENDIETA OTI
(11/18/49 -
09/08/1985)
Kendall (11/61 - ) - orphanage in Dubuque, IO
Artista. Asesinada por su marido que la tiró por la ventana del piso 23 de la casa de apartamentos
en Soho, NY.
Book by Robert Katz "Naked by the Window" in 1990.
|
FAUSTINO MENÉNDEZ
- foster home in Albuquerque, NM |
SERAFÍN MENÉNDEZ ARIAS (1946 - 2009)
Matecumbe (9/62 - |
PEDRO MENOCAL |
MARIA T. "Marite" MERCHAN BARROSO
(1951 - )
Florida City (5/62 -
|
RUBÉN L. MÉRIDA QUESADA "Pululi" (1947 - )
Matecumbe (9/62 - ) - Ft. Wayne, IN
|
LUIS R. MESO DE VARONA (1947 -
)
(8/62) Went with friend in Miami - Marquette, MI
|
ROBERTO MIQUEL AMARO "El Marciano"
Matecumbe - Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL
Family Practice MD
|
MARIO MIQUELI
(3/24/1945 - 9/1984)
Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL
|
JESÚS MOISÉS ABRAHAM
(1945 - )
Matecumbe (2/62 - ) - Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA
Worked for dade County
|
RAÚL B. MOLINA DACOSTA
(c1946 - )
Florida City (3/62 -
|
EDUARDO MONDEJAR SUÁREZ "El Mulo de Guainabo"
(c1948 - )
Matecumbe - Yakima, WA
|
JUAN ALBERTO MONGE RAFULS (1950
- )
Florida City (9/62 -
|
JORGE A. MONNÉ MARTÍNEZ (8/28/45 -
01/6/2016)
Escuela Lafayette - Matecumbe (8/61 - ) - Cottonport, LA
from the published Obituary:
"George A. Monné Born in Holguin, Cuba on Aug. 28, 1945 Departed on
Jan. 6, 2016 and resided in Cranford, NJ. Funeral Services:
Private
George A. Monné, 70, of Cranford, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday,
January 6, 2016 surrounded by his loving family.
George was born in Holguin, Cuba to George and Noelia (Martinez-Valls)
Monné. He lived in North Bergen, prior to moving to Cranford 11 years
ago.
George was a Doorman at Horizon Housing in Fort Lee for 10 years. He
enjoyed watching baseball on television, especially when the Yankees lost.
He was also an avid fan of the Price Is Right.
George was the beloved husband of Joni (Griffin) Monné; the devoted
father of Marielle Monné, Isabelle Monné, Mark Monné and Christian Monné
and his wife Gianna and his newly born granddaughter, Emma Grace. He is
also survived by his dear sisters, Noelia Maria Monné and Martha Monné
and several loving nieces and nephews."
His sister NOELIA wrote the following for publication and as a Pedro
Pan record of George's life:
"I would like to say that he was born in Holguín, Oriente, Cuba
August 28, 1945. He was the very loved first born child of Jorge Monné
Serio and Noelia Martínez Valls of Holguín and Auras respectively.
George was the oldest, then me and lastly, our sister Martica. He was a
noble and curious child, he was happy in the rural environment where we
lived. He spent time wondering about neighboring farms, playing with
toys he made , watching clouds and bathing in the rain. He loved
baseball first and foremost, learned to play well.
He and our great uncle listened to the radio, they followed every baseball
game when he was not in Lavernia School in Holguín. The family moved to
La Habana when he was 7. He attended San Agustín School and transferred
to Lafayette School where he was able to find his academic and sports
niche pursuing his love for
math and accounting, history and geography and his passion for sports:
baseball, tennis, ping pong, track and field and basketball. He worked
part time in our parents' business Monné Foam Rubber Co.
Our life in La Habana and our childhood were cut short by the revolution.
Our parents heard Fidel's first speech and they quickly began to do the
work to get us out of Cuba for political reasons. Jorge helped them obtain
the plane tickets and to speed up our leave. That was good because our dad
had been picked up by the police for one day and night and Jorge himself
was beginning to get into some minor covert subversive activities with
some of his friends. We left August 28, 1961, a Saturday. Papi got him a
tennis racket to bring to the U.S., but he was told it couldn't go with
us. I still remember George crying sadly walking towards the plane as my
father waved with the tennis racket in his hand.
My brother was very emotional about his feelings for family and
country.
George turned 15 in Matecumbe two days after our arrival. We were sent to
Louisiana. He went to Don Bosco Home for Boys
in Cottonport , La. graduating from HS there. While in La , scouts
went to the high school to observe George as they considered him to be an
excellent baseball player. He both pitched and hit the ball well and he
ran quickly. But that prospect changed when
our mother was able to come in one of the last ships out of Cuba at
the end of 1963,and the family
finally reunited in New York City. Welived briefly in NYC preferring to
move to Jersey City, NJ. There, he attended St Peter's College
concentrating in studies in math and accounting.
George had to go to work to help the family and took responsibility when
our dad died January4, 1970. He worked forty-one long years and often had
part- times and second jobs. He couldn't continue playing baseball and now
watched it on TV and brought his boys to little league. He had two
handsome and good sons when very young. After his long separation, he
married his younger employee who he supervised; they had two beautiful
girls.
George always made it clear that he loved Cuba and was a fervent lover of
our cause against Castro and communism. He followed the news from various
newspapers, magazines, television and the Internet daily. He analyzed all
of Cuba's and the world's political moves and explained them to those who
asked. He cried with me the day the American embassy was reopened in Cuba
in 2014. In spite of his health problems in the last few years, he was
firm about his love for Cuba and his opposition to Castro, always saying
he would not return until Cuba would be free. Jorge had a rich fund of
knowledge about his favorite sport: baseball.
I think that because he was so
noble, meek and perhaps he didn't feel worthy of it, he missed on being a
commentator or historian of the sport. Since he was a child he
demonstrated memory for names of players, their scores, games and more. He
wasn't learning his prayers in school and the religion teacher asked our
dad to see her. She said Jorge had an inability to remember things. Our
dad had George recite times tables, names of countries in the world and
then state names of baseball players and their home runs and scores. The
teacher didn't know what to say.
Later in life, in spite of
three strokes and debility, Jorge didn't plan on dying soon. He joked
about reading obituaries and knowing he wasn't dead since he didn't see
his name in the paper. He wanted to continue living although he was not
walking yet after surgery on a fractured femur. He
never lost his love for life. He looked forward to being a
grandfather. Jorge died accidentally on January 6, 1916, a year ago, of
causes not related to his illnesses; his first grandchild Emma Grace was
born the evening after his death, January 7, 1916.
Our brother was a good man, he had no ego, nothing for him, sometimes he
didn't realize how much worth and value he had. In my opinion, he was too
humble and it's hard to be like that in this world of competition and
appearances about him. Hhe obituary says
he worked only 10 years and it's sort of funny but not depictive of
the dimensions of his character. For example, his girls don't know and his
wife didn't tell them, that when our cousin's husband was seriously ill
when Jorge was 26, he gave up spare time and baseball playing to bring our
cousin back and forth to hospital. The same with my college friend whose
daughter was born with high risks such as epilepsy. George picked up my
friend in the hospital every night to get her home safely.
He never bragged or mentioned these things.
Sending too much to do with an open heart and grateful, Noelia.
|
PEDRO ANTONIO MONROY
|
PEDRO ESTEBAN MONTORRO DE LA TORRE (11/1947 -
9/24/90)
Florida City (9/61 - ) - orphanage in Montana
Scholarship to University of Miami - Graduated with honors from School
of Engineering.
One of the head engineers for the Metro Rail Project.
|
ESTER MORALES DE LA PORTILLA (c1946 -
10/24/2017)
(Dominicas Americanas - St. Joseph's Villa - Kendall - Queen og Heaven
orphanage, Denver, CO)
|
ANTONIO MORENO
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL
|
MANUEL MOURIN GÓMEZ ( 1949 - 1986)
Florida City (9/62 -
|
FACUNDO A. MUÑIZ OLIVERA
(1948 - )
Matecumbe (6/62 -
|
MAYDA SILVIA (NADAL LÓPEZ) FUENTES (3/4/48 -
7/16/11)
Florida City (11/61 - )
|
CARLOS A. NARANJO SOSA (c1947 - 9/2016
Matecumbe (2/27/62 - ) - Hope Heaven,
Marrero, LA
|
BERNARDO NOBO ESPINOSA (c1944 - 2010)
Matecumbe (8/61 - ) - Mariana Home, Wichita, KS
|
JOSÉ ANTONIO NORIEGA PLASENCIA ( -
2014)
Matecumbe (10/61 - )
|
ALFREDO NUÑEZ CARNOT
(1948 - )
Kendall (12/61 -
|
?? OCHOA
(younger brother of Marina Ochoa. He was sent
alone to the USA at 7)
|
ARTURO R. OLAZABAL ESPINOSA
(1946 - )
Matecumbe (9/62 - ) - Marquette, MI |
FÉLIX JAVIER OLIVA GARCÍA
(1949 - )
(went with his brother in Miami) |
MARIO JUAN OLIVA REY
(1953 - )
Florida City (12/61 -
|
ÁNGEL DE JESÚS ORAMAS ANTUÑA "El Sirio"
(1947 - )
Matecumbe (9/62 -
|
ALBERTO ORDOÑEZ
|
ARTURO ORDOZA
|
BERNABÉ OTEIZA
(11/08/1946 - 12/02/1997)
|
JAIME IGNACIO OTEIZA
(06/04/1949 - 6/22/2010)
|
GLORIA PADILLA GONZÁLEZ
Florida City - Our Lady of Grace Academy,
IN
|
ROSA IVONNE (PANDO SÁNCHEZ) MANTILLA
( - 10/05/2015)
Florida City - Villa Madonna
|
GUILLERMO RICARDO PAZ VÁZQUEZ (1950 - 5/27/2012)
Kendall - went with godparents in Hialeah
Architect - Married to pedropan CARMEN VALDIVIA
|
JORGE PAZ JOVA (1946 - 2016)
Matecumbe - St. Thomas Orphanage, Lincoln, NE
Members of the "Nebraska Cuban Connection" wrote describing
their feelings:
Queridos amigos, Con gran dolor le informé a Manny del fallecimiento de
mi gran amigo Jorge Paz Jova. Conocí a Jorge en el !962, fuimos compañeros
de cuarto en el orfanato , alli conocí a un hombre sencillo, tranquilo,
religioso. Le deciamos
"El Cura". Mas tarde
por muchos años disfrutamos una linda amistad; me acuerdo que en muchas
ocasiones veíamos los juegos de [la Universidad de] Nebraska y para no
perder la costumbre pedíamos pizza como lo hacíamos en Nebraska.
Jorge fue un social worker en las oficinas del condado hasta que la
enfermedad del Parkinson se le apareció en su vida; luchó por docenas de
años contra ella pero fue muy dolorosa esa lucha. Dios me dio el regalo
de poder estar con él y ayudarlo en esa lucha.
Lo visitaba en su casa y después, las últimas semanas en el
hospital. Sólo queda decir: "Gracias,
Jorge, por tu amistad y que
descanses en paz"
Emilio Subil.- 5/28/16
Manny, Gracias por dejarnos saber esta triste noticia, si Dios lo
permite José y yo pasaremos a brindar nuestros respetos a nuestro amigo
Jorge que Dios lo ha recibido en su Reino y a su familia.
José y Emma Sardiña - 5/28/16
Ana
y yo nos unimos a todos, a Emilio muy especialmente, por esta pérdida de
uno de los muchos con quien compartimos los primeros años de nuestro
exilio en Nebraska. Tiempos que nunca olvidaremos. Que el Señor lo reciba
en su Reino.
Ana y Orlando Suero -
5/29/16
I'm sorry to hear about Jorge's passing. God bless him. I have many good
memories of him and his family. He was a good man but now he's in a
better place next to God.
Steve Chio - 5/29/16
Me entristece mucho esta noticia.
Jorge fue more fue una persona my humilde y muy buen amigo para todos
Los que tuvimos la dicha de ser su amigo. Que El Señor lo tenga a su
lado para siempre.
Julio González - 5/29/16
Queridos amigos: Sentimos mucho el fallecimiento de Jorge y rezamos
por su familia. Emilio, que Dios te bendiga por todo lo que hiciste
por el.
Angel y Alina Vidal - 5/31/16
|
JUAN M. PAZOS MALDONADO (8/25/1948 - 11/14/2012)
Matecumbe (6/62 - ) - Mariana Home, Wichita, KS
Operations manager of Rolls Royce USA.
|
JOSÉ MANUEL PELÁEZ FERNÁNDEZ
|
ELÍAS PENSO "Elio" SALINAS (03/07/44 -
11/19/08)
Renombrado fotógrafo y experto en artes artesanos.
Graduado de Bellas Artes de la Universidad de Miami
|
PABLO PENTON GÓMEZ
(1947 - 2013? )
Miami (9/61 -
|
CARMEN R. (PEQUEÑO MARQUEZ) VALDÉS
(1947 - )
Florida City (4/62 -
|
ELOY E. PEREZ ESTADES
(1946 - )
Kendall (10/61 -
Agente del DEA
|
ERNESTO A. PÉREZ PLASENCIA ( 1952 - 01/06/2006)
Florida City (1/62 -
Vietnam Veteran. Succumbed to MS while in Chile.
|
HUMBERTO G. PÉREZ BETANCOURT
(c1950 - 1992)
Florida City (5/62 -
|
MANUEL PÉREZ PÉREZ "Noly" (c1951 - 4/28/2015)
Florida City -
|
MARIO PÉREZ CABRISAS
(1946 - )
Matecumbe (3/62 - ) - San Rafael
Owner of Penmar Insurance
|
OLGA (PÉREZ QUIZA) CASSINI (1947 - 11/03/2012)
nka GLORIA CASSINI
Florida City (5/62 - ) - Blessed Sacrament Academy, San Antonio, TX
|
VIVIAN PÉREZ GONZÁLEZ
(1947 - )
foster home in Miami 5/61 -
|
AMADO LUIS PI y FORS
(1958 - )
(9/61) Miami
|
MARIO PI y FORS (1955 - 3/6/08)
Kendall - St. Joseph Villa orphanage in Richmond, VA
|
JESÚS JUAN BOSCO PICHARDO
BUSQUETS "Jesusito"
(01/31/1951-
05/1981)
Kendall (8/61 - ) - Green Bay, WI
Asesinado por un ladrón.
|
MARIA LUISA (PICHARDO) MONTERO
(11/26/1946 -
10/03/1992)
Florida City (2/62 -
Succumbed to Breast Cancer.
|
ROBERTO PIMENTEL MARTINEZ
(1946 - )
foster home in Miami 7/61 - |
EMILIO M. PIS BAUTA (1945 - )
Kendall 11/61 -
|
JAIME PORTELA CABRERA
(9/29/1944 - 1/14/2011)
(with Fr. Walsh in Biscayne Bay house 5/61 - St. Edwards, Austin, TX)
A state-registered Land Surveyor in Virginia, he worked his way up to
Project Manager and Supervisor.
He was an avid hunter, horseman and supporter of the National Rifle
Association.
|
CARLOS A. PRENDES FERNÁNDEZ (c1950 - 1/12/2017)
Kendall (9/61) - St. Thomas Orphanage, Lincoln, NE
|
EDUARDO E. PRENDES FERNÁNDEZ
(January 18, 1947 - April 30, 2010)
"Eddy", "Prendesito"
(Maristas de la Víbora - Kendall - Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE)
In a strange twist of fate, almost 10 months after the passing away of his
older brother José Luis, Eddy went to a better Life the night of April
30.
Eddy was, together with Julio González, my almost constant companion in
Lincoln, Nebraska the summer and fall of 1962. We all lived in Cristo Rey,
across from the Governor's mansion and from the State Capitol, quite
possibly the best "beca" anywhere for Pedro Pan kids.
I remember quite vividly, together with all the other Cuban kids there,
Eddy's transformation from Regular Young Man into Young Man in Love, with
his youthful unrequited love for Cindy, the unusually pretty blonde with
the incredibly attractive smile, reminiscent of Brigitte Bardot. I
remember also how José Luis tried so hard to counsel him and to keep him
on the right path.
We had lost touch over the years as my parents moved several times after I
came back to Florida. I did not have a chance to see Eddy again until a
few years ago, after he had had an unfortunate accident at the construction
site he worked at and was able to visit with him and rememorate old adventures.
For once we were kids again and spoke of many things, both casual and
important in our lives.
It is so sad that so many of our Nebraska Cuban Connection people have
passed away much too early: Luis Albo "El Cácara", Carlos Roselló
"El Trompetero", José Luis and Eddy Prendes, Oscar Cossio known as "Tiburón"...to
name just a few, great people who did great things in their lives. There
are others too who have passed away from that unique group, but they were
there after my time. Yet
Eddy was uniquely special, he was one of the youngest and so alive,
passionate and impetuous, and the girls adored him and nicknamed him
Prendesito.
He will be sorely missed. Words definitely can not convey all the
feelings.
[Manny Gutiérrez. May 6, 2010]
Members of the "Nebraska Cuban Connection" have expressed
their feelings in an open e-mail forum, writing to the family and to the
rest of us after receiving the sad news. I include those comments here as a lasting
document del cariño que Prendesito se había merecido de sus amigos.
Why? Once again the question surfaces. Why is a family that has
given so much, supported so many is visited by so much pain.
The answers about God's will, fate, and destiny provide support later but
now are faded. I have no words, no consolation or peace to give.
I have but an embryonic hope that the pain will turn into strength, and
our prayers will heal the Prendes family.
Love to you, Malena and family
[Ramón Reina. 5/1/2010]
I am at a loss for words, the Prendes have lost another member of their
family and I've lost one of my dearest childhood and longtime
friends Eddy.
I don't know what to say, it all saddens me so much. I was so looking
forward to seeing Eddy once again at our reunion, now I'll never get the
chance.
With heavy heart I convey my deepest sympathy and prayers of support
to Malena Prendes and her family. May God Bless You All
during this trying times.
[ Julio González 5/1/2010]
No puedo expresar el dolor que esta noticia me ha dado.Eddy fue un gran
amigo, y como un hermano para mi. Mi mas sentido pésame para toda la
familia Prendes y nuestras oraciones están con ustedes.
Los quieren mucho
[ Roberto Trelles y familia 5/1/2010]
Pochy y yo acabamos de enterarnos de la muerte de Prendecito, nuestro
querido Eddy, ya lo estará esperando José Luis allá arriba.
Nosotroos dos, al igual que mi hermano Mario, nos unimos a la pena.
[ Lourdes y Pochy García 5/1/2010]
Our deepest sympathy to you and your family. We have lost another
friend from our childhood , a friend that we have many good memories
from the times that we spent together in Nebraska and California. Eddy
will never be forgotten. May God Bless you and your family.
[Roger Estrada 5/3/2010]
!Qué noticia tan triste el fallecimiento de Prendecito! Lo
recuerdo con gran cariño, igual que a su hermano mayor José Luis.
Dios los tenga a su lado. Mis oraciones están con la familia
inmediata.
[Pastor Fariñas 5/3/2010]
Nos sumamos a las oraciones de todos por Eddy y Cossio. Sabía que Cossio
no se encontraba bien y lo incluíamos siempre en nuestras oraciones.
Su heroísmo y servicio fue sin igual entre nosotros. Siempre
recordaré su integridad y naturaleza afable y abierta.
Lo de "Prendecito" fue una mala sorpresa e inesperada.
Su recuerdo es completamente positivo. Nuestro más sincero pésame a
sus hermanas y hermanos. No hay duda de que, como muchos han dicho,
está en compañía de su hermano. Que Dios los tenga en su
gloria a todos.
[Orlando & Ana Suero 5/4/2010]
TO ALL MY
NEBRASKA
BROTHERS/SISTERS IN CHRIST (Cristo Rey!)
I have been away from my computer for about four days and so
this morning I witnessed the outpouring of love and concern for our
"fallen" ones from ALL your E-mails.
First and foremost Eddy. I was not so close to him for reasons I
can not explain but I knew him well enough and have great memories of
his weight lifting competitions (among other things) in our early days
in Lincoln. May he rest in peace!
I was, however, VERY close to Jose Luis/MariaElena and
children not only then but consistently since their move to Orlando
to set up his Medical practice. I miss him a lot. His suffering (like
our Lord's, will not go to waste-I am sure of that!).
So today we pray for all these wonderful human beings who represent a
cross-section of who we were in the 60s in good old
Nebraska
and who we are today. We give our condolences to the immediate
families and may the good Lord in his infinite mercy welcome them and
us when our time comes into the new and Eternal Jerusalem.
Your brother in Christ,
Pepe Rodríguez (5/4/2010)
.
|
JOSE LUIS PRENDES FERNÁNDEZ ( January
31, 1945 - July 9, 2009)
(Maristas de la Víbora – Camp Matecumbe – Cristo Rey,
Lincoln, NE)
[see CAREER PATHS - MEDICINE]
JOSE LUIS Passed away early in the morning of July 9 after a long, debilitating
rare nerve illness that shadowed him for 6 years and about whom I had
written in the June Newsletter requesting prayers. I knew him briefly in Cuba
through his sister MALENA and her intense admiration for him as role model for
the family and friends. I knew him in
Camp
Matecumbe
in late 1961, and I was lucky enough to end up in the same beca with a
group of the PRENDES brothers and sisters in Lincoln, where I lived in the apartment next to JOSE LUIS’ so I had ample
opportunities to interact with him.
JOSE LUIS was without question one of the most admirable young men of our generation and of
the Operation Pedro Pan children and consequently one of the most admired.
He was a consummate amateur gymnast, a very fast short-distance runner, a
better-than- average swimmer and trampoline diver, a
mature and caring fellow who tenaciously fought against the physical abuse
that many of the bullies in Camp
Matecumbe
plied on the other younger and weaker kids and actually eliminated a great
part of the bullying and abuse in camp. He had a great personality and an
infectious laugh, and this had not lessened at all when I saw him the last
time in January of 2000.
JOSE LUIS played the trumpet and liked Jazz and Classical Music. He could
imitate the trumpet sounds with only his mouth and this was his pleasure
to do for friends and would do it at the drop of a hat. He studied hard
and worked hard all his life and fulfilled the promise of his earlier
years by becoming a respected neurologist.
He leaves behind a legacy of being a dedicated family
man, loved and admired by many. I know. My first-born is named Juan Manuel
after his two grandfathers. My second son was baptized and proudly named Jose
Luis in Prendes' honor. He knew it, I had told him.
Our fervent prayers are with the soul of JOSE LUIS,
and with the families he leaves behind. We pray that he is already in
that wonderful other place he deserves and that the families find peace
and calm to carry them through the next few years until they are together
again.
[The Editor - 07/27/09]
(as published in CampMatecumbeVeterans newsletter for August 2009.)
Some of the "Nebraska Cuban Connection" members have expressed
their feelings in an open e-mail forum, writing to the family and to the
rest of us. Here are those comments as a lasting document:
One
of the Lincoln Nebraska Pedro Pans has passed on from this life.
Jose Luis graduated from the University
of
Nebraska
medical school and went on to become a very successful neurosurgeon. He
practiced in the Orlando,
FL
area for many years. Later on he taught at the UN Omaha School of
Medicine.
Please pass this on to the Nebraska Pedro Pan group. Let's all keep Jose
Luis in our prayers. May the Lord bring peace to his wife and family.
Orlando Suero (July 11, 2009)
Hemos perdido un irremplazable compañero de nuestra niñez y un gran
amigo de por vida. Que Dios lo tenga en su Reinado y a la familia Prendes
nuestro pésame con un fuerte abrazo que tengan mucha Fe, Fuerza y Paz
en estos momentos tan duros.
La Familia González
Julio
González (July 11, 2009)
Hemos perdido un compañero de nuestra juventud. Nunca me
olvidaré de los buenos tiempos que pasamos con José Luis tocando la
trompeta con la boca. Que Dios lo bendiga a él y a su familia.
Roger & María Estrada (July 12, 2009)
José Luis fue un gran amigo y compañero mío y de todo el grupo
original que fuimos a Nebraska. Dios me dio la oportunidad de
conocerlo y compartir con el y Raúl Acosta nuestro último año de High
School en Pius X, y también nuestro primer año universitario. Siempre
lo recordaré como un hermano con el cual compartí muchos ratos alegres y
tristes al estar lejos de nuestras respectivas familias. Gracias al
soporte del resto de ustedes, nuestro amigos y primos, que podemos
recordar esos tiempos. Mi mas sentido pésame a la familia Prendes.
Pastor Fariñas (July 12, 2009)
It is very sad news indeed and a great loss for all of us, Jose Luis was a
great person just like all of his family, he will be missed but always
remembered in our hearts .
Our prayers and condolences are with his family and may our Lord help
pacify their pain for their loss.
God Bless them and Jose Luis' soul
Roberto Trelles and family.
(July 12, 2009)
Sí quisiera que lo
recordáramos como un magnifico hijo, padre, esposo y abuelo además de
hermano y amigo. Considero que siempre pensó mucho en los demás y
siempre tendió una mano amiga a todo el que la necesitaba.
María Elena (Prendes) Albo (July 27, 2009)
|
JESÚS PRIETO LOSADA "Chuchi"(c1946 - 12/4/2012)
Escolapios de la Víbora - Matecumbe (11/61 - ) - Villa Virgen del Cobre,
ALbuquerque, NM - Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE
Once again, a brother from the Nebraska Cuban Connection has gone from us
without seeing a free Cuba. But this brother is also from my barrio and my
grade school. He is doubly missed.
As it happened in the past, other members of the Nebraska Cuban Connection
have shared their feelings and wishes in an open forum which I gladly
attach here, and which will serve as a brotherly remembrance for all to
share. [The Editor]
First, Betty Prieto wrote to ORLANDO SUERO and he shared her message and
his answer on December 12:
Escolapios y Pedro Pan - Nebraskans acabo de recibir esta mala
noticia. (Orlando)
Orlando,
Thank you for your Christmas wishes. It is my deepest regret to inform you
that
Jess (Chuchi) passed away on Dec 4, 2012. We are still trying to cope with
his
loss. We wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy New Year - take care
of
yourselves and love one another.
Betty Prieto
Betty y Chuchi (Jesus Prieto) se conocieron en Lincoln, Nebraska
siendo
compañeros en la "Nebraska University". Llevaban de casado más
de cuarenta años.
Recen por el alma de nuestro amigo, su esposa y familia.
Saludos,
ORLANDO E. SUERO
Aunque desde que salí de Nebraska no había oído de el, el fue
parte de mi grupo... una lastima como hemos perdido contacto durante los
anos, por eso de felicito por el esfuerzo que haces en tener a
todos informado de los acontecimientos de los Pedro Panes. Gracias.
RAFAEL FONTELA (December 13, 2012)
Dear Betty
Our Hearts go out to You at this difficult time, but please may the
thought of all of us caring and sympathy we feel be a source of
consolation for you and your entire family. And may your Happy
memories bring help and comfort throughout this time of sorrow that's so
difficult for all of you.
Always remember that you are not Alone, our Lord will Grant You all the
strength, courage and comfort you and your family need. Chuchi will
be missed by all of his Nebraskans Friends. Our Prayers and
Blessings are with you!
EMMA & JOSE SARDINA (December 13, 2012)
Asi lo haremos.. que pena como se van los amigos... sin haber podido
compartir un rato mas...
MALENA PRENDES-ALBO (December 13, 2012)
Nuestro mas sentido pesame para la familia Prieto.
Que Dios los Bendiga
ROBEERTO TRELLES Y FAMILIA (December 13, 2012)
Nuestro mas sentido pésame a la familia y a todos Uds. Como decía el
papa de Lourdes, "Se nos adelanto en el camino". Rezaremos
por el.
LOURDES Y "POCHI" GARCÍA (December 13, 2012)
Nuestro mas sentido pesame a Betty y familia. Los mantendremos en
nuestras
oraciones.
PASTOR & EVELYN FARIÑAS (December 13, 2012)
A todos y especialmente a Betty: Una perdida muy grande. Que
Dios lo
reciba en su seno. Desde alli esta mirando la demostracion de cariño que
todos le estan demostrando. Te extrañaremos Chuchi
MIKE ESTRADA (December 14, 2012)
Nuestras oraciones están con la familia Prieto. Les
extendemos nuestro más sentido pésame.
ANGEL GONZÁLEZ y familia (December 14, 2012)
Querida Familia de Jesus Prieto "Chuchi" y Pedro
Pan hermanos,
Mis sincero pesame a todos en esta triste ocasion, demosle gracias a Dios
que
lo puso en nuestro camino y nos dejo disfrutarlo como amigo y
hermano.
Algun dia nos reuniremos todos otra vez.
De mi un fuerte habrazo para todos
JULIO GONZÁLEZ (December 18, 2012)
|
PEDRO PUBCHARA NOGUERA (1/4/54 - 6/15/94)
Kendall (11/61 - )
|
JORGE PUIG SUAREZ
(1945 - )
Matecumbe (7/62 - ) - Marquette. MI
|
ALBERTO RABELÓ CABRERA ( - 2009)
Foster home in Miami
|
ANTONIO RADELAT PÉREZ (c1946 - 8/14/2017)
Maristas de Santa Clara - Kendall - Matecumbe - Marquette, MI
|
ONEY V. RAMIREZ
|
ROLANDO RAMIREZ GUTIERREZ
(1953 - )
Florida City (1/62 -
|
HUMBERTO RAVELÓ SÁNCHEZ (9/26/1947 - 10/17/2012)
Matecumbe - Whitehall, FL
|
TERESITA (REVUELTA MADRAZO) JUAN ( -
2006)
One of the first Pedro pans, arrived in December of 1960.
Assumption Academy in Brickell Avenue - orphanage in NW 7th Street - foster home in Ocala, FL
Real Estate Broker
|
JOSÉ A. REYES
|
RIGOBERTO REYES
|
JORGE RIVACOBA
|
LEONOR MARÍA RIVACOBA FERNÁNDEZ (1951 - 4/2015)
Florida City -
|
CARMEN ROSA (RODRÍGUEZ) TOURON "Carmita"
Kendall - FloridaCity - orphanage in LA
|
DOMINGO J. RODRIGUEZ ZUBIZARRETA
(1952 - )
went with cousin in Miami 3/62 -
|
FRANCISCO RODRÍGUEZ "Paco el Andaluz"
- Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE
|
ISIS RODRÍGUEZ GONZALEZ
(1945 - )
Kendall (10/61 -
|
JOAQUÍN RODRÍGUEZ MARIBONA "Joacopú" (1946
- 4/22/2013)
Matecumbe (8/61) - Cristo Rey, Lincoln, NE (3/62 - )
Se va otro amigo del Nebraska Cuban Connection. Ya hemos perdido 13 desde
que volví a Miami en Diciembre del 62. Todos grandes muchachos, Micky
Méndez, Luis Albo Fariñas "El Cácara", Carlitos Roselló
"El Trompetero", los hermanos Prendes, Johnny Escarrá, María
García, "Chuchi" Prieto y ahora inesperadamante también, uno
de los muchachos más pintorescos de aquella juventud pedropanera en el
frío extranjero de Lincoln, NE donde nos enteramos mucho después que
habíamos estado en una de las mejores becas de toda la Operación Pedro
Pan 1960-1962; Joaquinito Maribona.
Yo lo concocí en Matecumbe en el 61 y a principios del 62, era de Colón,
Matanzas y en el campamento le llamábamos "El explotado" porque
se enfadaba a menudo. Tuve la suerte de ir con él y nueve otros en el
avión a Lincoln el 4 de Marzo del 62. Allí Joaquinito aprendió Inglés
algo mas rápido que los demás y se puso a trabajar en un lugar llamado
Sunnybroke a pocas cuadras de Cristo Rey. Allí lo íbamos a
"chivar" a veces cuando teníamos los 15 centavos para comprar
una Coca-Cola.
El
"Joacopú" es uno de los pedropanes más pintorescos de nuestra
niñez. Nunca me olvidaré que en un pep rally del Pius X High School en
Lincoln, NE, en Abril del 1962, Joaquinito se consiguió prestada una máscara
plástica de Fidel Castro con gorra verde olivo y se puso a discursear en
español al estilo del barbudo asesino hasta que una alumna vino y le dió
con la cartera en la cabeza para callarlo. Todo fue preparado,
claro está, pero el "Joacopú" estaba muy preocupado porque el
carterazo le había quebrado el plástico de la máscara y ahora el tendría
que explicárselo al dueño!
Lo vimos por último en la reunión en Miami del 2005, y no vino a la del 2010.
Cuando Santos Gómez "El Banana" envió la aplicación para la
reunión del 2005, en la línea de "Hobbies" el Joacopú puso:
"!Reírme!"
Acabo de notar otro triste contacto que nunca podremos verificar. Chuchi
Prieto le escribió una nota a Joaquinito en el Miami Herald Pedro Pan
Network database en el enlace de éste que lee: "Joaquín, es Chuchi.
Cuando tengas tiempo comunícate conmigo. Mi teléfono es:
xxx-xxx-xxxx". Chuchi escribió en Enero del 2010. Falleció en
Diciembre del 2012. Tal vez nunca se empataron.
Joaquinito se suma a los tantos pedropanes - ya se sabe de 284 hasta hoy,
Mayo 3 del 2013 - que ya no podrán ver a Cuba libre desde la Tierra. [The
Editor]
Varios del Nebraska Cuban Connection han escrito sobre este inesperado suceso:
Qué triste noticia. Yo tengo recuerdos muy gratos de cuando
estábamos en Cristo Rey disfrutando de la compañía de Joacopú!
Que Dios lo tenga en su Gloria.
Pastor Fariñas (5-01-13)
Qué noticia tan triste, Juacopú fué y será Siempre muy querido
por nosotros, y todos nos vamos a recordar sus chistes y su manera de ser.
Our love and prayers are with his family.
Juacopu we will always love you!
Emma y José Sardiña (5-01-13)
Nuestro más sentido pásame y oraciones por el Alma de Joaquin y
para toda su familia. Él siempre fue una persona allegre que todos
recordaremos.
Que Dios lo tenga en su reino.
Bendiciones
Roberto Trelles y familia (5-01-13)
Que en paz descanse en el reino de Jesús. Los recuerdos son todos
gratos.Tenía muchas energías y hablaba "por los codos" y simpático.
En un tiempo se entrenó corriendo alrededor del Capitolio para
incorporarse al equipo de football del Pius X. Me encontré con el de pura
casualidad en el 1983-84 en
una reunión en casa de un vecino mío en el SW. La pasamos muy bien
recordando los tiempos de Nebraska. En aquel entonces vivía en Atlanta,
Georgia. Nunca supe más de él.
Que el Señor lo tenga en su gloria. Abrazos a todos,
Orlando Suero (5-01-13)
Mi pésame a su familia. Juacopú era una persona muy Alegre. Que en Paz descanse.
Un abrazo.
Emilio Subil y familia
(5-01-13)
Sentimos una gran pena por el fallecimiento de Juacopú. Igualmente le enviamos nuestro
pésame a su familia. Ya él comienza su nueva vida con Dios. La última vez que lo vimos fue aqui en Los Angeles hace como 10 años. El tenia un gran amigo de Matanzas aqui, Raul Silvestre.
Juacopú vino de visita como siempre - "buena gente", jovial y simpático.
Un fuerte abrazo para todos, y que Dios los bendiga.
Pochy y Lourdes García (5-01-13)
Hacía tiempo yo también quería saber de él. ¡Era tan simpático y cariñoso!! Estamos perdiendo lo mejorcito del exilio.
¡Cuánta tristeza!! Pero sabemos que está con el Señor y eso nos basta.
María Elena Prendes-Albo (5-01-13)
|
|
JOSÉ ANTONIO RODRÍGUEZ MENESES (1950 -
02/27/2014)
Arrived in Miami on Veteran's Day 1961.
Obtained a football scholarship to the University of Southern Mississippi.
|
|
MANUEL RODRÍGUEZ HERNÁNDEZ (12/14/1950 -
2005)
Florida City (8/5/62 - ) - foster home
|
RUBÉN CAROLINA RODRÍGUEZ BARRETO (c1949 -
went with uncle in Miami (4/62
|
SANTIAGO RODRÍGUEZ "El Mono" ( -
9/25/15)
( - St. Vincent's Villa, Ft. Wayne, IN)
|
ROGELIO CARLOS ROQUE GONZÁLEZ
(1949 - )
Matecumbe (5/62 -
|
CARLOS G. ROSELLÓ NUÑEZ "El Trompetero"
(03/21/1948 - 10/18/2005)
Matecumbe (8/62 - ) - St. Thomas
orphanage, Lincoln, NE
Succumbed to Cancer.
(As published in NOTICIAS PEDRO PAN, website Newsletter no. 5, Year 7 in December of 2005.)
Ha
fallecido otro hermano Pedro Pan. Es el quincuagésimo tercero del que
tenemos noticias.
CARLOS ROSELLÓ “El Trompetero”, passed away a few days ago in
Boynton Beach, Florida
He was not yet 58 years of age. He was in the same Pedro Pan camp and
“beca” where I was, and recently lived in the same city I live in.
Carlitos studied in the Hermanos de la Caridad School in Jaruco.
I missed meeting him in Matecumbe by 5 months, and in Lincoln, Nebraska by almost two years. I never met him until January of 2000 at Santos Gomez’s house in Hollywood, on the occasion of a University of Nebraska championship football game.
In the photo below, Carlos is the one in the middle:
According to Christina DeNardo’s article on the
Your Town section of the Post on Wednesday October 19, Carlitos can boast
of several accomplishments during his short sojourn in this life – even
if he was not one to boast – which list as follows:
Principal of several schools in
Massachusetts
.
High School Principal of
Forest
Hill
High School
in
West Palm Beach
.
School Administrator,
Palm Beach
County
, supervising principals in central County area.
Director of district triple-A plan, which gives “the county’s most
challenging schools extra money for teachers in exchange for additional
testing.”
But he had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and he did not tell any of
the other 150 Pedro Pan kids of the “Nebraska Cuban Connection.”
It is the grandest of gestures, I believe, of the finest of men, to avoid
causing pain or any type of discomfort to his friends. Carlos did not want
anyone to know he was dying of an incurable cancer; he refused to add his
personal problem to the problems of others. He did not, perhaps, want to
see his co-becados hurt with the knowledge of his pain and impending
death.
Rest in Peace, Carlitos.
Manny Gutiérrez, Editor
|
ARMANDO ROUSSEAU
|
CARLOS LUIS ROZAS DÍAZ
(1944 - )
Kendall (7/61 - ) - Ft. Wayne, IN
|
LUIS RUBIO ALBET "El Bolo"
(1947 - c2004)
Kendall (8/61 - ) - Casa de Sallies, Wilmington, DE
|
LEOPOLDO RUIZ
- Marquette, MI
|
MARINO RUIZ
- Marquette, MI
|
OLGA SABRÍA SÁINZ (c1949 - 9/21/2011)
Florida City (4/62 - ) - foster home in Albuquerque, NM
|
OSCAR M. SALAZAR IGLESIAS (1944
- )
Kendall (10/61 - )
|
EUFEMIO L. SANABRIA MESA (1945 - 3/13/2014)
Matecumbe (6/62 - )
An attorney in LA.
|
BENJA M. SANCHEZ DE DIEGUEZ
|
CÉSAR SÁNCHEZ TRELLES (1949 -
1992)
Kendall (12/61 -
Massive Heart attack.
|
JOSÉ R. SÁNCHEZ LÓPEZ
(1954 - )
Florida City (2/62 - ) - Mount St. John's Academy,
Gladstone, NJ
|
RODOLFO SANTAYANA
(c1943 - 2006)
Kendall (8/61 -
Diagnosed in 2005 with mesothelioma, a cancer of the lining of the
lungs attributed to asbestos.
Abrió "Santayana Jewelers" in 1983. Se especializó en
trabajos de oro y plata de figuras patrióticas.
Falleció en el 2006 a los 63 años de edad. Un tramo de la Avenida 122
del SW entre las calles 8 y 9 recibió su nombre en Febrero del 2009 en un
acto donde presidió el comisionado de Miami-Dade Joe Martínez
|
CARLOS SANZ ANSOLA
(1955 - )
Coral Gables 8/61 -
|
MARÍA NOEMÍ SARMENTERO HERNÁNDEZ (7/3/1949 -
1/7/ 2013)
Kendall 11/61 - Queen of Heaven Orphanage, Denver, CO
|
JOSE LUIS SERRET PORTUONDO
|
ÁNGEL SERRÚ ESTRADA (6/47 - 1/86)
Kendall 11/61 - Villa Virgen del Cobre, Albuquerque, NM
|
RAMIRO SIGLER MÁRQUEZ (1945 -
)
Matecumbe 5/62 - )
|
ILEANA ISABEL (SIXTO COURET) GARCÍA-ROBERTO (07/08/1949 -
03/20/1995)
Florida City (10/62 - )
|
GUILLERMO J. SOCARRAS SILVA
(1946 - )
Matecumbe (4/62 - ) - St. Vincent's Home for Orphans, Lansing, MI
|
MELCHOR SOMOANO
|
CÉSAR ANTONIO SUÁREZ COUTO
(1950 - )
Miami (10/61 -
|
ERNESTINA (SUÁREZ MANNA) KIT "Tina"
( - 2010)
Kendall (4/61 -
Retired professional from the State of Ohio
|
JORGE VICENTE SUÁREZ MÉNDEZ
(1946 - )
Matecumbe (7/62 - )
|
MIRIAM TARAFA FARIÑAS
(1945 - )
Florida City (7/62 - )
|
LUIS TILLAN PEYRELLADE (c1951 - July 2, 2011)
Florida City (4/62 - ) - went with family in California
|
PEDRO PABLO TORRES GARCIA
(c1952 - )
Florida City (6/62 -
|
ROBERTO A . TRAVILLOT MIER (c1945 - )
(3/5/62) went with uncle in Miami - St. Vincent's Villa, Ft. Wayne, IN (1964 -
)
|
NELSON T. TRUJILLO LINES "Siberio"(c1948 - )
Matecumbe (5/62 - ) - Mariana Children's Home, Wichita, KS
|
ROBERTO I. URQUIZA RAMIREZ
(c1947 - )
went with friend in Miami 6/62
|
JORGE LUIS URTIAGA VARELA
(1949 - )
Casa Carrión (4/62 - ) - Matecumbe - Nashville, TN (9/62 - ) - Jesuit
Boys Residence (8/63 -
|
MARIA ISABEL (VALDIVIA MARTINEZ) BURSEY (1948 -
1993 )
Florida City [Suárez] 8/62 -
|
GUILLERMO VAZQUEZ MEDEROS
(1956 - )
New Orleans 10/61 -
|
MANUEL ANGEL VÁZQUEZ DIEZ
(1945 - 1995)
Matecumbe - Ft. Wayne, IN
|
CARLOS ARMANDO VENZAL KAMAMEL (11/04/47 - 12/22/07)
went with aunt in Hialeah 6/62
|
JOSE A. VERDE LLANEZA "El Bombero"(1951 - )
Florida City (3/62 - ) - St. Vincent's Home, Saginaw, MI
|
MARCEL VERDUGO GARCIA
(1948 - )
Matecumbe (7/62 - )
|
ELISA (VILANO OJEDA) CHOVEL
"Elly"
(1946 - 8/31/2007)
Florida City (2/62 - ) - foster Home in Buffalo, NY
One of the founders of Operation Pedro Pan Group
Served as President of OPPG and as Chair of the Pedro Pan Foundation.
|
MARIA ELENA (VILLARDEFRANCOS FIGUEROA) QUESADA (1946 - 7/31/08)
Florida City [Aguirre] (5/62 -
Pancreatic Cancer
|
LUIS E. VILLAVERDE RODRÍGUEZ
(1954 - )
Florida City (4/62 -
|
ANTONIO JESÚS VILLORÍN ( - 2013)
- St. Mary's School for Children, New Bedford, MA
|
JORGE VIÑAS
Camp St. John, Jacksonville, FL
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MANUEL VIZOSO CORZO (1946 - )
Kendall (12/61 -
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CHARLES R. WOLF RODRIGUEZ
"Ta-Cu-Ba"
(08/19/1949 - 12/21/1978)
Kendall (9/61 - ) - Whitehall, Miami, FL
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ALFREDO P. WONG ALCÁZAR (1946 -
2/19/09)
Matecumbe (6/62 - 9/63) - college
Graduate of the 1963 graduating class (the ONLY class!) of Matecumbe High.
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EDUARDO LUIS YÁNEZ MOREJÓN
(1951 - 1998)
Miami (4/62 - ) - Elizabeth, NJ - Puerto Rico
Heart attack.
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MANUEL D. ZAYAS ZAYAS
(1949 - )
Matecumbe (3/62 - )
Did two tours in Vietnam. Two Purple Hearts!
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WILFREDO ZAYAS [see DE ZAYAS}
Camp San Pedro, Orlando, FL
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