Hector Manuel Cabrera Meneses

Hector Manuel Cabrera Meneses, known to his grandchildren, nieces, and nephews as “Papito,” passed away on Friday, November 12, 2021 with his family by his side in West Jefferson Hospital. He was 77 years old.

He was born on January 8, 1944 in Tecpan, Guatemala. He graduated from the Military Academy, Instituto Adolpho V. Hall in Guatemala City as well as from the Universidad de San Carlos in Guatemala City, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering. He began his career in New Orleans with the engineering firm of John E. Walker. He was always grateful to Mr. Walker for providing him with his first opportunity in the field of civil engineering in this country. He went on to work for many years at Exxon Oil Company and Louisiana Land and Exploration, before beginning his own business.

His real passion in life was soccer, which he played, coached and was often found cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines. He was actively involved in the Soccer Association of Guatemala, supporting the team and local philanthropic activities related to this club. On the Westbank, he was instrumental in founding the soccer recreational league at PARD playground where his children and nephews were part of the first teams.

He is preceded in death by: his parents, Maria Celia and Fernando Cabrera; and his siblings, Yolanda Cabrera de Espinosa, Argentina Cabrera de Corona, and Fernando Cabrera Meneses.

He is survived by: his wife of 57 years, Gloria Soledad Guillen de Cabrera; his daughter, Dr. Claudia Soledad Cabrera de Moksnes; his sons, Dr. Hector Mauricio Cabrera and Carlos Estuardo Cabrera; his sister, Ana Leticia Cabrera de Marroquin; and his grandchildren, Anton Abraham Moksnes, Clara Soledad Moksnes, Sofia Elena Cabrera, Alejandro Luis Cabrera, Isabel Celia Cabrera, Katrina Rene Cabrera, Elliana Soledad Cabrera, and Nicolas Sebastian Cabrera.

Hector will be greatly missed by his wife, Gloria Cabrera, his children, his grandchildren, and his extended family and many friends.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, November 20, 2021 at 1:30 p.m., immediately followed by a memorial service beginning at 2:30 p.m. at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home at 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70124.

Hector’s final resting place will be at St. Patrick’s Cemetery No. 3 at 143 City Park Avenue 70119, and the Rite of Committal is to take place on Saturday, November 20th, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Services will be officiated by Fr. Alex Guzman.