Jaime C. Sallés

Jaime Carlos Sallés, a self-described architect by profession, writer and speaker by inclination, professor by vocation, and poet by devotion, passed away peacefully at his home in Croton-on-Hudson, NY, on Sunday, July 28, 2024, surrounded by his family.

Jaime was born in Havana, Cuba on October 12, 1930, to Vicente José Sallés y Turrell and Mercedes Buigas y Sans. He studied at El Colegio de la Salle schools in Havana, Cuba, and went on to obtain his Master of Architecture degree at the University of Havana, graduating first in his class in 1953. He became a faculty member at the University of Havana in 1954, eventually becoming the youngest Associate Professor with tenure at the University.

While in Cuba, he was the Vice President and Secretary of the Havana Chapter of the Colegio Nacional de Arquitectos de Cuba (National Association of Cuban Architects). He was famously proud of the fact that the association actively rebelled against the Cuban Revolution on January 28, 1960 (the anniversary of José Martí’s birth) at the classic Arte Deco Colegio Nacional’s offices in El Vedado on the Avenida Infanta y Calle 104 Humboldt. In 1961, the association was reestablished in the United States as the National Association of Cuban Architects in Exile (NACA) with Jaime serving in multiple positions, including as President and historian. Additionally, he was an active member in the Society of American Registered Architects (SARA), serving on the National Board of Directors and as National Chairman of SARA’s International Committee.

Those who knew Jaime understood him to be a commanding, larger-than-life personality with a sharp intellect and a vast memory. He was a student (and professor) of architectural history, a skilled orator, and an individual with a penchant for the spotlight – especially to recite his poetry at any and all gatherings (occasions which his offspring affectionately referred to as the “dad show”).

Jaime was married on July 28, 1957 in Havana. Along with his wife and daughter, he fled Cuba under challenging circumstances in June 1961. He was an ardent patriot of his adopted home, the United States. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Marta Diaz y Bustillo; his four children, daughter Maria and her husband David Zehler; son Jaime Jr. and his wife Lori Zablow; son Fernando and his wife Claudia Rodriguez; and son Ernesto; along with four grandchildren, Nicolas Sallés, Sophia Zehler, Diego Sallés, and Siena Sallés; his sister, Myriam Arocena and her husband Ignacio Arocena and their families.

In closing, as was his custom when parting with loved ones, he would say “En tu amplia y clara frente, un beso.” (Attributed to José Martí).

A memorial mass followed by interment of his cremains will take place on Saturday, August 3, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Mausoleum, Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 3 W. Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY 10532. All who would like to join the family in remembrance, kindly arrive by 10:45 am for the 11:00 am service. Please line up along the curb in front of the office building. All guests will be led to the Chapel at that time.

Please, no flowers. Donations in his memory can be made to the following organizations, whose kindness and care were of great solace to him and his family throughout the final moments of his time with us:

Ossining Volunteer Ambulance Corps: https://www.ossiningvac.org/donate

Phelps Hospital, Northwell Health: https://phelpsgiving.org/give-now Please designate the gift as follows - designation: “Other” followed by “Palliative and Hospice Care teams”