Emilio Ruben Andres

Emilio Ruben Andres, 77, died on June 27, 2018. Born the youngest son of Amado Florencio Andres and Emilia Rafaela Campos in Holguin, Cuba, he is predeceased by his parents and brothers Amado “Cucho” Andres, Fernando Andres and Juan Andres.

As a young man, he was sent to study in the United States. He attended the Montverde Academy in Montverde, FL, the Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA, and the Archbishop Hoban High School in Akron, Ohio. Following his education, he returned to Tacajo, Cuba to assist in running the family ranch.

He married Dulce Estrella Martinez of Bijaru, Cuba in 1963 and had two children. In 1969, he became a political prisoner and was forced to cut sugar cane for 2 ½ years before being granted permission to leave communist Cuba. In 1971, he arrived in the United States as a political refugee on the Freedom Flights with his wife and two young children. Two additional children were born after settling in Sarasota, Florida. He worked on the Bispham Dairy Farm and later as a boat builder at Wellcraft Marine until his retirement.

He enjoyed boating, the beaches, and camping at Oscar Scherer and Myakka River State Parks. He loved baseball and often coached and umpired local Little League games. His favorite hobbies were crafting custom knives and making sausage.

He is survived by his brother, Florencio “Yuni” Andres, his four children, Melissa Andres, Emilio Andres Jr., Carlos Argeo Andres, Jorge Andres and his grandson, Max Rathgeber.

A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Humane Society of Sarasota.