Pedro Manuel Vazquez

Pedro Manuel Vazquez, 91, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 26, 2019. Pedro was born December 29, 1927 in Las Villas, Cuba, to Juan Vazquez and Maria Caballero Vazquez, and was the youngest of 12 children. He was known to say, “I completed the dozen in life, and I will complete the dozen in death.”

Pedro was preceded in death by the love of his life for 61 years, Eneida Garrido, of Las Villas, Cuba. He is survived by his son, Pedro “Pete” Vazquez (Lynn Norris), his daughter Maria (Arturo) Cruz, and his 7 grandchildren, Danny (Suzy) Cruz, David (Leslee) Cruz, Michelle (Ivan) Cespedes, and Peter, Steven, Adam Michael, and Alexander Vazquez. Pedro also leaves behind 5 great-grandchildren whom he loved dearly, Sebastian, Mason, Makaela, Dylan, and Logan Cruz.

Pedro was a Cuban immigrant who made the American Dream a reality for himself, his family, and so many others who he helped bring to this country. He left Cuba in 1955, along with his brother-in-law, Orestes Carrazana, and moved to New York City, leaving behind a young wife and a newborn. Pedro worked three jobs, sent money back to his family, and eventually returned to Cuba in 1956. He could see things were not going well in Cuba, and wanted the best for his family, so he brought his family to the states, landing in Newark, NJ. Pedro and Orestes would eventually become small business owners with Ideal Grocery, which was the first of a lifetime of partnerships. In 1969, Pedro and Eneida, with their children Pedro and Maria, and Orestes and Dora (Pedro’s sister), and their children Maria, Tico, and Ileana, all moved to Hialeah, FL. Till this day, the five cousins remain as close as the day they were born because it’s always been about “La Familia.”

Pedro would continue his partnership with Orestes in another grocery store, and then construction, eventually becoming a milkman with MacArthur Dairy (formerly Home Milk) until his retirement. Pedro loved to play dominoes, which he did religiously every week with his lifetime friends. They’ll be an empty chair at the next “partido”, but Pedro’s spirit will live on until the last “ficha” is played.

Pedro’s heart may have failed him in his later years, but never when it came to his family and friends. He lived his life always giving and providing for others. Pedro had a big heart and felt his calling was to “give”, never asking for anything in return.

Pedro missed his wife, Eneida, immensely. In his last days, he found comfort and peace knowing he would soon be reunited with the love of his life. They’re together again, and heaven is a whole lot better place because of it.

A visitation for Pedro will be held Tuesday, August 27, 2019 from 6:00 PM to 12:00 a.m. at Caballero Rivero Hialeah, 373 W 9 Street, Hialeah, FL 33010. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, August 28, 2019 from 10:30 AM to 11:15 AM at St. Benedict Catholic Church, 701 W 77th St, Hialeah, FL 33014. A committal service will occur Wednesday, August 28, 2019 from 12:00 PM to 12:15 PM at Our Lady of Mercy Cemetery, 11411 NW 25th St, Doral, FL 33172.

In lieu of flowers, the family is accepting donations which will go back to Cuba and to Pedro’s Catholic church, Nuestra Senora De La Esperanza, in Esperanza, Cuba.

Para los que entienden español mejor, en vez de mandar flores, la familia apreciaria donaciones, las cuales se mandaran para la iglesia de Pedro, "Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza," en Esperanza, Cuba.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com/rivero-hialeah for the Vazquez family.