Modesto Gomez Alvarez

Modesto was born in Santiago de Cuba, on the 21st of October, 1932, to Modesto Gomez Varela and Sara Alvarez Vila. We called him “Papi”, since this is a story with too many “Modestos”. Papi graduated from Colegio de la Salle and from the Universidad de Oriente with a degree in accounting and later on in life an MBA in Accounting from the Universidad InterAmericana de Puerto Rico. He married Alba Herrera Pascual, “Mami”, in August 18, 1957. Papi and Mami had two children, Modesto Gomez Herrera in 1958 and Consuelo (Chelo) Gomez Herrera in 1961. In 1962, Papi and his young family left Cuba in the wake of the Castro Revolution and settled in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. Over the next 29 years, Papi and Mami raised their two children, encouraging and supporting academic and professional pursuits which eventually led them to the mainland United States. Throughout these “wonder years”, Papi and Mami re-connected with many other exiles, a few of whom formed the core of the first Gomez extended family. In subsequent years, Papi lost Mami to cancer in 1986. More happily, he gained a daughter-in law, Heidi, and later on, two grandchildren, David and Diana, and his grandson's fiancé, Kali. He loved his role as Abuelo and found tremendous joy in seeing them grow up to become wonderful and loving young adults. Papi continued to live in Puerto Rico, completing a long and fruitful career as comptroller of various importers of construction materials. Through the years, he continued to cultivate numerous personal and professional friendships. In 2016, Papi retired from his job at Ferromontan and moved to Orlando, to live with his daughter Chelo. These years gave Papi the opportunity to cultivate, among other things, the joys of TV sit-coms and singing contests, gourmet cuisine, travel, and…Major League Baseball. Papi became Chelo’s Sancho Panza, supporting her quest to visit every Major League ballpark. Throughout his 80’s, Papi and Chelo visited 17 major league parks. During these years, Papi’s extended family continued to grow. Many of you who are here, or who are reading these lines, are proof of that. Modesto lived a long and fruitful life. He passed away peacefully, in his sleep, on the 20th of October, 2024 – not one day shy of his 92nd birthday, but the last day of his 92nd year of life. With him, till the end, was his daughter Chelo surrounded by the Peace and Grace of God that came to him for a life well lived. He is survived by his daughter, his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren…and all of those, mentioned or referenced above. May he rest in peace.

Modesto Gomez Alvarez

October 21, 1932 - October 20, 2024