Victor never forgot his family in Cuba and frequently sent them money to assist them in buying the basic commodities of life. Every few years, as circumstances allowed, he traveled to Cuba (often with Maria and occasionally with Vic) after he had collected shoes, clothing, and medicines to distribute to family there.
Victor struggled after Maria’s sudden passing in 2013, and so his health also declined. In 2017, with Vic’s assistance and that of his grandson, Aaron, and friends, he moved from his Ellendale home of 38 years to an Independent Living duplex unit at the Dallas Retirement Village.
He enjoyed his first years there, but was adversely affected by the isolation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, especially since he was so social and missed the company and conversation of others.
The effects of diabetes, dementia and kidney failure accelerated in his final year and he required additional assistance from caregivers and eventually from hospice. He died peacefully while taking a nap on the afternoon of April 21, 2022. At his request, Vic will take Victor’s cremains to be with Maria’s in Hatillo, Puerto Rico.
Victor was never one to shy away from commenting on his observations, especially about food preparation. He especially enjoyed sharing recipes and teaching others how to prepare various items such as Baked Alaska and Beef Wellington. He also loved to tell stories about his early years in Cuba, especially about the challenges of growing up poor in the country, barely having enough food to eat, catching fish in the rivers, walking for miles everywhere and being grateful when a horse was available to ride. He would also relate stories of having descended from a pirate in the Caribbean who settled in Cuba and had buried a still-undiscovered treasure.
Maria and he traveled numerous times to Puerto Rico and to Cuba, as well as to Costa Rica and Canada. They also drove around the United States from California to Florida to New Jersey (where they picked up Vic. and a friend from college) and back to California in their pickup with a cab-over camper.
Victor and Maria celebrated their 25th and 50th anniversaries at St. Philip Church and were married for almost 64 years.
Victor is survived by his son Victor Jr. (Gloria); his daughter and son from a previous relationship, Xiomara (Nelson) and Roberto; seven grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and numerous other relatives in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and around the United States.
A memorial mass will begin at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 17 in the St. Philip Catholic Church in Dallas. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Victor to the St. Philip’s Church Altar Society, 825 SW Mill St., Dallas, OR 97338. The Dallas Mortuary Tribute Center is caring for the family. www.dallastribute.com
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