My grandfather passed away yesterday afternoon.

[Cuban_Liberal]

My grandfather, Marcantonio, passed away yesterday at his home in Havana, Cuba, as a result of congestive heart failure. He was 84.

He was born June 5th, 1919 in Havana, Cuba, the 8th child of Alfonso and Caridad Moreno y Guzman. He was united in Holy Matrimony to Maria Lopez y Oviedo on May 17th, 1939, and she survives. To this union were born 8 children, 3 daughters and 5 sons, all of whom now reside in the United States. He is also survived by 38 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren, 2 brothers and 3 sisters. His parents, one brother and one sister preceeded him in death.

A schoolmaster in pre-Castro Cuba, he continued to teach school after Castro came to power, but he refused repeated demands that he join the Communist party. In 1964, he was dismissed from his job, and forced to do menial labor in order to support his family. On three separate occasions, he made it possible for his children to escape Cuba, and after the third and final time he was imprisoned for 3 1/2 years in a prison work ('re-education') camp where he was fed bread and sugar water for breakfast daily, and beans and rice for supper; Twice during his imprisonment, he received chicken. While in prison, he was systematically beaten and tortured, and an untreated broken leg left him with a limp for the rest of his life. Still, even after his release, he refused to join the Communist Party.

Repeatedly denied exit visas by the Cuban government to visit his children and grandchildren in the USA, he corresponded with them frequently, and on rare occasions was able to place a phone call to them. Similarly, his children were also denied entry visas into Cuba to visit their elderly father and mother.

The government of Fidel Castro forever denied me the opportunity to ever meet face-to-face this proud, undefeated man who was my grandfather, and the hatred that burns in my heart for that morally-bankrupt regime cannot be adequately expressed in words. I will only ever know him through his voice, his pictures and the words he wrote to me, but I will NEVER forget him, or the example that his life was to free men and women everywhere.

Vaya con Dios, abuelo mio!

:cry:

[terrya]

1. My sincere condolences, Cuban_Liberal.

I'm very sorry for your loss. Your grandfather Marcantonio obviously meant a lot to you.

:hug:

Terry

[Commendatori]

36. My deepest condolences.

I hope you're surrounded by those you need during a difficult time like this.

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

2. Oh, I'm so sorry

Your grandfather sounds like a brave and wonderful person. He certainly lived an exemplary life. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

[GOPisEvil]

3. My condolences to you and your family.

Your grandfather seemed like quite the man.

[Skittles]

4. I'm so sorry, Cuban_Liberal

he sounded like a great guy and it is horribly sad you never got to meet him. My sympathies to you and your family.

[MissMillie]

5. So sorry

You have my earnest sympathy.

[Cuban_Liberal]

6. Thank you, all.

:grouphug:

[livetohike]

7. My sympathy to you and your family Cuban Liberal

I hope that the letters from your Grandfather and stories you have heard of your Grandfather will keep his spirit close to you and give you peace.

[Cuban_Liberal]

13. I don't know that they give me peace, to be honest.

What they do give me is courage, and the will to fight, and maybe that is better.

[Bertha Venation]

8. oh, Tony, I am so sorry.

I'll light a candle for him tonight when I get home. (I hope that counts, even though I'm not Catholic & won't be doing it at church. Our home's a spiritual haven.)

:hug: for you.

[Cuban_Liberal]

11. Thank you, Kim!

:hug:

[commander bunnypants]

9. Karma and peace my friend

DDQM

[La Lioness Priyanka]

10. so sorry

hugs to you.

[Kadie]

12. My sympathy to you and your family.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

14. Tony, I'm so sorry..

I understand what you're going through. It's not an easy time. Thank goodness you have Paddy there with you. I'll go say a prayer for you and your family. :hug:
Love,
Duckie

[qanda]

15. That's *so* sad!

My heart truly goes out to you. I wish you peace and comfort as you grieve this great loss.

:hug:

[Burma Jones]

16. Farewell, with great respect, to a Brave Man,

With many descendants. We should all live such a life and have this kind of integrity.

[bearfan454]

17. Lo siento a oir eso.

Tu Abuelo es con Dios. God bless you and your family.......bearfan454

[Cuban_Liberal]

21. Mil gracias, bearfan454.

Yo lo creo, tambien. :hug:

[BelleCarolinaPeridot]

18. My condolences to you and your family Cuban_Liberal .

:hugs:

[Mrs. Venation]

19. There's A Quote From Isaac Newton

that I think applies to you and your grandfather. I don't know it exactly, but it says something like this, "If I can see farther than other men, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants."

I will draw on the courage and steadfast love of Marcantonio Moreno y Guzman; his life inspires me even though we never met. That is the way of heroes, Tony. Standing fast in their principles, facing danger and triumphing over tyranny, these brave people reach out to all who can know even a moment of their lives. They don't think of themselves as heroes, but their modesty and humilty add to their magnificence.

And although we've never met, Tony, te amo con todo mi corazón, y comparto su pena.

[Cuban_Liberal]

20. I love that quotation!

My grandfather died as he lived, unbroken, undefeated and unrepentant! In a very real sense, I owe him a debt I can never repay, because it was his sacrifice that made it possible for me to be born in a free nation, and to live my life as a free man. He would have laughed at the thought that I was indebted to him in any way, however, because he did what he did freely and gladly, making a gift of a world with hope to his children and to their children.

He never thought himself particularly brave, but simply saw himself as a decent man who was only trying to do what was right.

May he rest in peace, and may the angels carry him to Heaven, where he shall see the Son standing at the right hand of the Father.

[newyawker99]

22. I send my condolences to you and your family, C_L.

May your grandfather rest in peace.

[Cuban_Liberal]

23. Thank you all so very much.

Knowing that so many people care makes it easier to bear. :grouphug:

[Rowdyboy]

24. Absolutely heart breaking....

I know you were firmly in his heart, as he is in your.

May he rest in the peace he has so richly deserved...

[bigwillq]

25. I'm am very sorry for loss

You're grandfather seemed like a wonderful guy. I am also respectful of people who helped children in one capacity or another.
He seemed like a family guy, he was sure blessed with one large family. I bet he made everyone proud and I'm sure he was proud of his entire family.

[arwalden]

26. My Condolences...

I hope you find strength and comfort from your family and friends as you gather together to share your memories and stories of your grandfather in happier times.

--- Allen

[bubblesby2002]

27. You are in my thoughts

and I send deepest sympathies. I am so sorry you did not get to know him face to face. There is obviously some part of him that resides in you.

[jus_the_facts]

28. My heart goes out to you man.....

....I'm so sorry for your loss and even sorrier that you were kept from knowin' your Papaw in such a cruel way....may he rest in peace now and live forever in your memories of him...peace to you and your familiy as well. :pals: :loveya:

[eyesroll]

29. I'm sorry for your loss, Tony

Your grandfather sounds like a fascinating, strong, dedicated man. I suspect he's been a big influence on you.

:hug:

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

30. My condolences on the loss of your grandfather

[GoddessOfGuinness]

31. My deepest sympathy...

I'm so sorry for your loss...and sorrier still that you never had the chance to meet him.

Reading your post, I can sense the love and deep admiration you felt for your grandfather. His story is worthy of being told and retold. Perhaps you could make constructive use of your anger and hatred by writing a book that would serve as a memorial to the great man your grandfather was.

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers... :hug:

[Duncan Grant]

32. Deepest sympathies C_U.

Thinking of you.

[redqueen]

33. I'm so sorry to hear about your loss

That's really heartbreaking, CL. I really don't know what to say. It's so sad, that he was not allowed to visit his many grandchildren. I can only believe that now in spirit he can finally be close to his family as he could not be in life.

You and your family are in my prayers.

:hug:

[Book Lover]

34. Men like him

move by a different compass. As one who had and took the chance to meet those members of my family who lived in then-Communist then-Yugoslavia, I am so sorry you could not. Though I do not pray, I am thinking of your family tonight.

[bobthedrummer]

35. Deepest sympathy on your loss.

[Pithlet]

37. I'm so sorry.

:hug: It's such a shame you never got to meet him in person. From your tribute, I can see he was a good man.

[UrbScotty]

38. My grandpa just died Thursday afternoon.

Today was his funeral.

My condolences to you. He lived long, and was blessed with nearly 65 years of marriage and many descendents.

May his love for you and your love for him sustain you.

[bigwillq]

39. Sorry to hear of your loss as well

It seemed like your grandpa lived a long full life as well.

[JohnLocke]

40. I'm sorry, Tony.

:hug:

[MaineDem]

41. My deepest condolences

How very sad for you and your family.

My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your loved ones. :cry:

[jonnyblitz]

42. my thoughts are with you today, Cuban_Liberal

:hug:

[tom_paine]

43. My condolences, Cuban_Liberal

I am so sorry that bastard, Castro denied you the opportunity to see and meet your grandfather.

Commies, Nazis, Busheviks, ALL Totalitarianism and all Totalitarians are Spirit Crushing Inhumans.

In Cuba and Russia, the Liberals are on the "right". It's not suprising that Leftists Totalitarians hate Rightist Liberals there the same way the Bushevik Rightists Totalitarians hate Leftists Liberals.

Same kinds of people, mirror images of each other.

You should be very proud of your grandfather, they way he stood up to Castro and the Commies. And the cost, such a cost, for such bravery and integrity, is inspiring. Sadly, it is not impossible that your grandchildren if the Busheviks aren't stopped, may be forced to make similar sacrifices to Tyrants.

A Toast to Your Grandfather, sir.

:toast: :toast:

[Westegg]

44. Vaya con Dios...I'm sorry...

My mother's father was such a great influence in my life. I had the honor of knowing him and being with him for more than 25 years. I can't imagine what you felt, being separated like that, from such a wonderful man.

Simply put, I can't imagine.

[VOX]

45. Am so very sorry to hear this, CL...

Your grandfather Marcantonio is truly a profile in courage.

Although you never met him fact-to-face, in no way does that lessen the love or respect you feel for this great man.

My sincerest condolences to you and your family in this difficult time.
:hug:

[mvd]

46. Very sorry

My condolences go out.

[Cuban_Liberal]

47. There will be a memorial service Saturday, in Miami.

Yet again, my mother, her brothers and sisters have been refused visas to attend the funeral in Havana, which is tomorrow. I plan to fly down Thursday evening to be with my family.

I HATE FIDEL CASTRO, AND EVERYTHING HE AND HIS KIND REPRESENT! :grr::nuke: