Jesus Exposito's Obituary
Jesus Exposito left our world better than he found it. He was proud of his Spanish heritage and a hard-working man, a loyal and dedicated husband and a naturalized American citizen whose daily prayers included God Bless America. He was known as co-owner of the award-winning Tio Pepe Restaurant from 1976-2010 with his partner Jose “Pepe” Rodriguez, but he had started washing dishes at famous Cuervo’s Restaurant in Ybor City. He worked his way up from bus boy to waiter to a very popular waiter at Valencia Garden and Café Pepe. You’d never know that he was a prominent banker in Cuba, before Castro. He trained so many waiters that have had successful careers because Jesus Exposito trained them. At his side for 54 years thru thick and thin was his devoted wife Delfina – lovingly called Nena. They were married in their native Havana, Cuba, arriving in our country in 1963 looking for freedom and a chance at finding the American dream. Jesus was born March 23, 1938 to Spaniards living in Havana, Toribio and Modesta. Jesus has a sister in Tampa, Maria Exposito, that survives him as well as Nena, Jesus’ widow and her son, Alberto Otero.
The funeral services are set for this Saturday morning at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Cherry St. and MacDill Ave. in Tampa, visitation starting at 12:30 pm and Mass starting at 1:30pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Suncoast Hospice. Burial services will follow the Mass at the Centro Asturiano Memorial Park Mausoleum. A very good man has entered paradise and we will miss him very much.
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