Armando Ramirez's Obituary
Armando Ramirez, February 27, 1931 - November 1, 2023 was born in Los Palacios, Pinar del Rio, Cuba. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Estela Ramirez (Lima), his two children, Armando Ramirez Jr (Amy), Esther Elliott (Eric); grandchildren Vanessa and Alexander Ramirez; Vivian, Jacquelyn and Nicholas Elliott.
As a young man, Armando served in the Cuban Air Force, which included an assignment at the Panama Canal in the 1950s. After leaving the military, he completed an engineering degree at Escuela Técnica Industrial de La Habana.
In 1960, Armando married Estela, forming a bond that would last over sixty years. In 1962, Armando and Estela fled Cuba with their infant son, Armando Jr., settling in Chicago. There, Armando found work as an electrical engineer. Estela managed the budget and set aside earnings until the young family could buy a home in Florida.
Once in Florida, the couple worked to sponsor their immediate families and help establish them in the United States. Among the family members sponsored were Armando’s own parents. A devoted son, Armando never missed Sunday meals with his parents.
As Armando worked to establish his Cuban family in Florida, he and Estela welcomed daughter Esther in 1974. Armando enjoyed retreating to the nearby Anna Maria Island with his family each summer for vacation. He and Esther also enjoyed trips to Horizon Park together where he would ride a bike while Esther skated.
Armando was proud to see his children graduate college and form families of their own. Over his life, Armando would enjoy five grandchildren, with the first being Vanessa born in 1989 to Armando Jr.
In retirement, Armando enjoyed traveling to Frisco, Texas to visit Esther and her family. He loved taking his granddaughters Vivian and Jacquelyn on wagon rides around their neighborhood. He still enjoyed vacations at Anna Maria Island and seeing his grandchildren play on the beach.
Throughout his life, Armando remained a proud American citizen. He followed politics closely, was a life-long learner and instilled the importance of honorable work, personal responsibility, education and dedication to family. He will be deeply missed and always remembered.
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