ENGLISH REMARKS at Dad/Abuelo's Celebration of Life Lunch at Disco Fish
Alberto Padróns
There have been four Albertos.
Until January 19th of this year, when Alberto Aurelio Padrón passed away, I was “Albertico.”
Today I stand before you as Alberto Padrón — the eldest of the Albertos who remain on this earth.
I’m sharing my remarks in Spanish, the language of my family, although I confess that sometimes — being bilingual, belonging to two worlds, Cuba and the United States — I stumble or make grammatical mistakes. I ask your forgiveness in advance.
I am accompanied by my sister, María Aracelia Padrón — Maricely — my mother Julia, my wife Angela, my children, and other family members and friends whom I will mention shortly.
Give thanks — thank you all very much for being present.
There are three messages I would like to share.
I am sentimental.
I am grateful.
And I am a man of big dreams.
Let me explain.
I Am Sentimental
I always thought that came only from my mother’s side. My mother is very expressive and affectionate. But last night, listening to songs by Luis García — one of my father’s favorite bolero singers — I realized that he too was sentimental, in his own way.
In the song “Habana, Bajo el Cielo Cubano,” the lyrics say:
“La víbora and the Malecón, the Paseo del Prado, El Vedado, the son, and the danzón… I would want to dream again of my beloved Havana…”
In his final stage, he was an old man waiting for death. But he was not always that man.
I was born when my father was 43 years old.
I left his side when he was 61 and I was 18, when I departed to join the United States Air Force.
Who was my father before he turned 43?
And who did he become after 61, when I left his side?
The answer is in all of you.
I Am Grateful
My mother — for helping me focus on the best parts of my father, even when he was tough on me. Thank you, Mom.
My sister — sharing this stage of life together is a dream realized. I thank God that I am by your side and you by mine in these moments.
My niece Gaby, her husband Raul, my grand-niece Gia, my sister Suzy who accompanied me for so many years — beginning in Cuba, then New York, and finally here in Florida — and her partner Ernesto… thank you.
My son Alberto Ángel, his mother Olga, her husband Roberto, and the little princess of the family, Charlize — thank you for being here.
My cousin Julio, representing a large part of my mother’s family… thank you Julio — and your mother Elsa, my aunt, and your sister Orietta — a thousand thanks.
My wife Angela and Alonzo — no matter the time or the circumstances, you are always present, giving me support and love. Thank you. Thank you so much.
And those who are not here physically because distance did not allow it, or because they are in heaven with the old man:
My sister’s mother Pilar, cousin Carlito, my nephew Julio Alberto in Holland, my son Andrés in England, cousin Emir and his family in Mexico, cousin Mayito in Denmark… there are many… to all of you, thank you for loving our father.
To the family of neighbors I didn’t know I had, but who were essential in the most difficult moments — Ray, Mery, and Elida:
Ray — for the friendship and the companionship you gave him so often. Thank you.
Mery — the meals on Christmas Eves, Thanksgivings, and other moments when we could not be with our father — you were there… until the very end. We don’t have enough words — only thank you.
Elida — Elida — Elida…
A care, a love, an unexpected friendship that inspires and brings out the best of humanity. We do not know how to thank you for what your presence meant in the final stage of our father and grandfather’s life.
We are exploring the creation of a scholarship at FIU in your name.
The world needs more Elidas. And in whatever way we can, we will invest so the world has access to more Elidas — people who aspire to be caregivers and nurses who help those who need a hand, and a friendship.
Thank you, Elida.
I Am a Man of Big Dreams
The old man made decisions in his life that helped some and hurt others. In life, perfection does not exist.
I consider myself the beneficiary of many sacrifices made by others — including my father, my mother, my sister, and many more — who deserve that I move forward building a legacy worthy of my father, the Padrón family, the Cuba that lives in my blood, and my United States.
That is my goal.
In the song “La Fiesta,” Pedro Capó sings:
“Good people are not buried — they are planted.”
So please — plant our father, grandfather, friend, and neighbor in your heart.
May Alberto Aurelio Padrón live in all of us.
Cheers. 🥂
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