Ramon Villafane Torres

November 17, 2018. At the age of 9, he travelled alone on a ship from Puerto Rico to live with his sister in Manhattan. He was youngest of 13 children raised in the Military. He later enlisted in the army at Fort Buchanan in the United States Army, 65th Infantry Regiment, “Borinqueneers.” Ramon served during World War II, fought in the Korean War 1950-1952 and served during the Vietnam War. After serving in the United States Army for 23 years.

He took a job with Horsemann Doll Company in South Carolina. Seeking a better life for his family we moved to Connecticut where for 4 years Ramon worked as an interpreter for the Courts, Served as a Councilman, and held a job with Brand Rex. He finally retired from Colgate-Palmolive after 15 years in New Jersey, prior to moving to Tampa.

Ramon was a parishioner of Most Holy Redeemer in Tampa, Florida for 21 years. In 2014, he received the Congressional Gold Medal for service as a Borinqueneer.

He enjoyed reading historical nonfiction, playing dominoes, ping-pong, golfing and listening to music. He was New York Yankees fan. He raised his five children in the military all over the world. Ramon was a patriot, proud of his country and a good provider. To quote McArthur, he believed. “A soldier never dies, he fades away.”

He is predeceased by his mother, Dolores; father, Ramon; his wife of 42 years, Esther; his son, Ramon; his sisters, Mary, Lydia, Adelaide, Lolita, Carmen, Patria, Haydee, Alicia, Alicia II, and Pura C.; and his brothers, Rafael and Jose.

He is survived by his second wife, Gladys; stepdaughter, Maria Lallanilla; step son-in-law Joe and their children Marcos and Mathew.

His surviving children and families are as follows: his daughter, Nydia Aponte; son-in-law, Jose; granddaughters, Ayleen Hudson and her husband, Ryan; his granddaughter, Esther Richmer and her husband Seth; his great granddaughter, Isabelle.

Surviving are his daughter, Miriam Schmidt; son-in-law, Stanley; his granddaughter, Natalia Birkenstock; her husband, Ryan; and great granddaughter, Madison.

His survived by his son Israel Torres; his wife, Doris; his grandsons, Israel and Antonio; great-grandson Israel M.

He is survived by his daughter, Yvonne Rinehart and her husband Stephen; his granddaughters, Madeline, Jennifer Arnett and her husband Nic. He is survived by his grandson, Stephen Rinehart.

He is also survived by his grandson, Raymond Jimmerson.

He is survived by his sister, Pura Pacquet.

Finally, he is survived by related family members.

Visitations and prayers will be Sunday, November 25, 3-6pm at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry, Tampa. Funeral services will be Monday, November 26, 10am at the Incarnation Catholic Church, 5111 Webb Road, Tampa. Committal Services will be held at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL.

In lieu of flowers, we encourage you to make a donation to Veterans of foreign Wars, Wounded Warrior Project or a charity of your choice.