I'm very sad to report that my sweet grandfather, Jose Nuila, died Aug. 2 at 12:10 p.m. On the other hand, it gives me great pleasure to report that he lived to be 108. 108! He lived his entire life in San Pedro, El Salvador where he was lovingly cared for by my uncle and his wife for all of his golden years. In his 70s and 80s he used to come to our home in Edinburg and stay with our family for a couple of months. I have very fond memories of us planting a garden together, tinkering on the piano and of him teaching me how to play chess. I think all of the grandchildren have always been mostly in awe of "papauito", a name given to him by my brother and is a cross between "papa" and "abuelito". He lived many lives and was an absolute renaissance man. He wasn't college educated (I'm not even sure he went to high school) but he knew how to play the piano, violin, was a voracious reader (my mother loves to brag that she was taught to read on the classics), the feather-weight boxing champion of El Salvador at one point, a pharmacy owner and of course a single father to his very accomplished and adoring children - and there are lots of children - let's suffice it to say he was indeed a ladies man. Sadly, we can't go to the funeral tomorrow, but my mom says the town is basically being shut town for "the alcalde"'s funeral. Everyone and I mean everyone knows and loves him and is expected to show up at some point to pay their respects. Should I live to be 108, I hope to go surrounded by all my family knowing that I did a great job. Cheers.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Don Chepito
I'm very sad to report that my sweet grandfather, Jose Nuila, died Aug. 2 at 12:10 p.m. On the other hand, it gives me great pleasure to report that he lived to be 108. 108! He lived his entire life in San Pedro, El Salvador where he was lovingly cared for by my uncle and his wife for all of his golden years. In his 70s and 80s he used to come to our home in Edinburg and stay with our family for a couple of months. I have very fond memories of us planting a garden together, tinkering on the piano and of him teaching me how to play chess. I think all of the grandchildren have always been mostly in awe of "papauito", a name given to him by my brother and is a cross between "papa" and "abuelito". He lived many lives and was an absolute renaissance man. He wasn't college educated (I'm not even sure he went to high school) but he knew how to play the piano, violin, was a voracious reader (my mother loves to brag that she was taught to read on the classics), the feather-weight boxing champion of El Salvador at one point, a pharmacy owner and of course a single father to his very accomplished and adoring children - and there are lots of children - let's suffice it to say he was indeed a ladies man. Sadly, we can't go to the funeral tomorrow, but my mom says the town is basically being shut town for "the alcalde"'s funeral. Everyone and I mean everyone knows and loves him and is expected to show up at some point to pay their respects. Should I live to be 108, I hope to go surrounded by all my family knowing that I did a great job. Cheers.
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wow maria. sorry to hear about your loss but thats amazing and inspiring. thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteHi Maria. Thank you for writing about my father. In the early years of his life he was trained by one of a few classical professor and composer of our country. Don Jose Leandro Cruz and later was train by Dr Lozano in the discipline of pharmacy, (Idoneo en farmacia). At the end of his training he took the test and was granted a degree as a Pharmacist wich mean he was the doctor the midwife (for lack of better name).
ReplyDeleteLove Dinorah
I forgot to mentioned,Don Leandro Cruz Trained him in classical music. (sorry I'm using my son's email). I was to eager to comment.
ReplyDeleteHi Dinorah,cuanto siento la muerte de Don Chepito,fue el mejor maestro de musica que tuve en mi vida, lo siento mucho es una gran perdida para San Pedro,soy Noysa la nieta de Don Felix Ramirez Sanchez,(fallecido).
ReplyDeletemi mas sinceras condolencias para ti y tu familia.
I want to know more! Is there anyone that can add to what has been said about this remarkable man?
ReplyDeleteMy dad is 82 years old and is also from El Salvador but living in California. His name is Jose Vicente Nuila. What was your grandfathers middle name. I don't know many of my dads relatives.
ReplyDelete