HomeMy WebLinkAboutBioJuan Manuel "Nanito Vazquez Jr.
Born: November 4, 1938
Died: December 11, 1999
Place of Birth: Oriente, Cuba
Political Prisoner in 1961 due to Cause #148, Prisoner #32313, with asylum
finally granted from the Isla de Pino after 20 years of incarceration.
American citizen of the United States of America, Nanito was a Republican and
an activist by heart. Known as a man of good values and principles, he was a patriot who
dedicated his entire life and all of his efforts to the freedom and liberation of Cuba.
Unfortunately, my father will never get to see his beloved Cuba a free nation, but his
spirit and his legacy will live on in the hearts he touched. That is why Nanito's dream is
and always will be so important for" the community of Cuban political prisoners.
Nanito worked for many humanitarian efforts during his time in Miami, including:
Project Advisors Corporation for many years with distinguished founder Mrs. Linda
Murphy. He also worked for Miami Dade County in the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, or "HUD" as housing inspector for Plan 8 and various other
resources.
Through his -ears in Miami, Nanito also helped all sorts of community oriented
organizations including: League against Cancer, the American Printing House for the
Blind, The Church of San Juan Bosco, Allapattah Community Action, Big Brothers Big
- - 3 —Jose MartiFeundatio
St. Jude Foundation, Camillus House, Easter Seals, and many more.
He participated and supported political groups such as: The Republican National
Hispanic Assembly of Florida, La Casa. del Preso (The House of the Prisoner) in Miami,
The Cuban Patriotic Board, the Democratic Movement of his good friend Ramon Saul
Sanchez, The Cuban American National Foundation of his friend Jorge Mas Canosa
(deceased), Partido Ortodoxo (Orthodox Party) of his close friend Luis Conte Aguero ,
Alpha 66 of his good friend Nazario Sargen (deceased), and many others.
A few people that Nanito was close with in the media include: Sr. Cepero, Luis
Conte Aguero, Martha Flores, Perez-Roura, Humberto Cortina, Felo Ramirez, Lourdes
Montaner, Sarvelio Del Valle, Santiago Aranegui, Martha Casanas, Ruby Feria, Enrique
Encinosa, Matias Farias, General Benites (deceased)
_ Other friends and acquiantances in and out of the olitical world include: Alberto
Cardenas, Marcos Rubio, David Rivera, Lincon Diaz-Balart, Ileana Ros-Lithinen, Bruno
A. Barreiro, Rebeca Sosa, Tomas P. Regalado, Pedro G. Hernandez, Angel Gonzalez,
Xavier Suarez, Victor DeYurre, Humberto Hemandez, Alberto Gutman, Miguel, Alex y
Reiner Diaz de la Portilla, Natacha Seijas, Alex Penelas, Joe M. Sanchez, Manolo
Reyes, Lilian Ros, Demetrio Perez, Carlos A. Gimenez, Javier D. Souto, Joe A.
Martinez, Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Jorge Rodriguez Chomat, Frank Bolanos, Marta Perez,
Claude Pepper (deceased), Conray Mac, Marie Ellen Miller, Humberto Amaro,. Jeb Bush,
George Bush, Alfredo Zayden (deceased), and many more.
I, Geisha Marie Vazquez, daughter of Juan Manual "Nanito" Vazquez always
stood by my father supporting all of his efforts. He taught me the righteousness and
dedication for that cause, the liberation and freedom of Cuba. That was the greatest
legacy he could have left to the community and myself. Alas, now that he is no longer
with us, is when I feel his absence most. I appreciate with all my heart all those that live
on with my father ever present in their hearts and in their memories. My father was a
great activist, extraordinary father, entrepreneur, and leader who devoted his entire life
to the cause of freedom for the Cuban island. I have a great emptiness in my soul from
not having him with us, but I keep in my soul that legacy of patriotism and
humanitarianism that he instilled. If as I am writing this I have anyone out I ask a
thousand apologies to all those I failed to mention in this brief. With that said, my father
was and always will be unforgettable for myself and for many others. Never lose heart in
the fight for Cuban freedom and liberation. And never forget his call of, "Bravo!" at
parties, festivals, assemblies, and reunions.