Garrido, Jose (1914-2008)

GARRIDO, POWERS

Posted By: Mary Holub, volunteer (email)
Date: 5/4/2008 at 21:36:29

From: Le Mars Daily Sentinel, May 1, 2008

Dr. Jose Garrido, 93, of Miami, Fla., and a former Le Mars resident, died April 14, 2008.

Dr. Jose Garrido was born Oct. 10, 1914, in Havanna, Cuba. He was a lawyer by profession in Cuba and served as the mayor of Havanna, Cuba in 1950. He came to the United States in 1964, fleeing the Castro regime, along with his wife Lydia and granddaughter Jennifer. They settled in Le Mars in 1965 and remained there until 1987 when they moved to Miami, Fla.

Dr. Garrido served on the Westmar College faculty as professor of Spanish.

This time in his life was one of joy and passion for his students. He continued to speak of the "COPACABANA" event which he started at Westmar, every chance he could.

While at Westmar he served as the girls tennis coach for several years. He also taught Spanish at Northwestern College for about 10 years starting in the mid 1970s.

He participated in the Westmar bowling league for many years, and played in the city tennis league until his early 70s.

He lived the balance of his life in Miami, Fla., surrounded by his family and friends.

He is survived by his daughter Inger Powers and granddaughter Jennifer Powers, both of Miami.

He was preceded in death by wife Lydia in 1976, who is buried in Le Mars Memorial Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life was held at the family's home in Miami for family and close friends.