Julio Rene Diaz

On the evening of August 5, 2014, Julio René Diaz fondly known as “Don René” passed away at the age of 78, in Atlanta, Georgia. Julio René was born on April 26, 1936 in Placetas, Cuba to the late Domingo and Maria Dolores Diaz and raised by his father and stepmother Leonora. Julio René worked as a Cattle Rancher in Cuba and in 1959 married his wife, Ines.

In 1967, Julio René and his wife, together with their two children, René and Lourdes, immigrated from Cuba to Atlanta, Georgia. Along with his father, sister, and brother; Julio René assisted in opening 5 Diaz Market grocery stores in the heart of midtown. However, his entrepreneurial spirit saw an opportunity and joined by his son, in 1980, he began Diaz Foods, an Atlanta based food distributor. For the past thirty-four years, he has served as ambassador to Diaz Foods’ customers in 24 states.

Julio René was a beloved member of the community, well known for his sense of humor and loved by his friends, employees and customers. He was also a devoted family man who loved his children and grandchildren. Julio René will be lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Ines Diaz, his son and daughter-in-law René Michel and Barbarella Diaz, daughter and son-in-law Lourdes and Craig Winkelmann. Julio René will also be fondly remembered by his four grandchildren, Andrew Winkelmann, Alexander Diaz, Julia Diaz, Olivia Diaz, and sister Maria Rodriguez and Family. Julio René was pre deceased by his brother Domingo L. Diaz.

A viewing will be held on Friday August 8th from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at H.M. Patterson & Son-Spring Hill Chapel. On Saturday, August 9th at 10:00am, Holy Spirit Catholic Church will hold a funeral Mass immediately followed by a graveside service at Arlington Memorial Park. Flowers may be sent to H.M. Patterson or Arlington Memorial Park. Those who so desire may make memorial donations to the Julio René Diaz and Diaz Foods Scholarship at Georgia State University. Checks should be written to GSU Foundation and designated to the scholarship. The address is GSU Foundation, P.O. Box 3963, Atlanta, GA 30302-3963. Memorial gifts can also be given at gsu.edu/giving. (Select Make a Gift. Designate Other and type in Julio René Diaz and Diaz Foods Scholarship.) Online condolences may be made at hmpattersonspringhill.com.