My father, Basilio Gorrita, came full circle on the mission set by God for him. He was born and passed on his birthday at the age of 94. It is said that passing on the same day born is considered a supreme mark of a righteous life. It’s seen as a blessing, representing a life where one’s earthly mission is perfectly complete. I thank God for having given me the opportunity to spend all those years with him and celebrate his life now and forever.

He has been a wonderful father; a loyal husband to my mother, his only true love; a loving son and brother to a sister three years older and a sister three years younger; a hard worker; a caring soul; and a true blessing. He’s been a good educator; a storyteller; fun to be around yet my rock when needed; and for those who knew him best, he loved sweets and mac n cheese. I could not have asked for a better father. God has truly blessed me.

Growing up, he lost both parents at a young age and had to work while still going to school at night to maintain food on the table. He later took to Entrepreneurship opening a shop making and selling charcoal black and white shoes for little girls in Cuba. Unfortunately, he lost the shop after the Communist Regime took over.

He was looking for a better life with freedom for his family and took both my mother and me out of Communist Cuba in the late 60’s to a new life of Freedom in the United States where we grew in time and established a true home. He worked as a Silk Screen Printer operating production for highway billboards for over 30 years and loved his job. He kept working until he retired at the age of 70.

He was married for over 30 years and had one daughter, me. His true love, my mother, unfortunately passed at the age of 54 leaving him to care for me and for a now 33-year-old cockatoo and a stray cat. He faced many struggles and much pain in his life but through it all kept his faith and strength always moving forward.

He will be terribly missed, but there is comfort in knowing he’s at peace in God’s loving hands with my mom. His mission completed and a new life beginning.

“I Miss You and I Love You Papi, Now and Forever Together”