This memorial website was created in the memory of our beloved Eliseo San Juan who was born in La Habana, Cuba on 30th January 1931 and passed away on 6th November 2014, 83 years of age.Eliseo San Juan, “Papa," a long-time dedicated servant of the Jacksonville community & of his Church,died Thursday 11/6/2014 at age 83 after an extraordinarily long battle with Alzheimer’s. He died peacefully at Jacksonville Nursing & Rehab.  Immediately thereafter, he was surrounded by his family & Father Steven Zehler for readings & prayer.  Born 1/30/1931 in La Habana, Cuba to parents Eliseo San Juan Curbelo & Carmen Fernandez Atichati., Eliseo’s youth was lived actively & joyfully in Cuba with his family that included 4 younger brothers. He enjoyed music, dancing, cars, swimming, the beach, and he excelled at Fencing where he successfully competed in Cuban National Events and the Pan-Am Games.  After graduation from Universidad de La Habana, he launched his career in insurance sales in Cuba & worked for a time in Venezuela. He married the love of his life, the former Ofelia Rosa Vera on 1/24/53, who survives him after 61years of marriage. Eliseo & Ofelia fled Castro’s takeover of their beloved Cuba & immigrated to the USA with their two young daughters Carmen & Silvia in 1960.  Eliseo became a proud citizen of the United States of America in 1960.  From 1961-1972, Eliseo worked in insurance sales & underwriting with Banker’s Life Insurance Company with stops in New York City, Chicago, & Dallas. His son David was born in Chicago in 1967.  In 1972, Eliseo & family came to Jacksonville where he had accepted a position with Prudential.  Shortly thereafter, he became Vice President of Underwriting for George Washington Life.  He served there until 1988.  After 3 years as a consultant (primarily for AmericanMedical Express, Inc.) he launched a start-up called Medical Claims Recovery, Inc. & began a long association with Jacksonville-based Pickard International as a certified document & live translator working primarily with two key accounts - Mayo Clinic & the Duval County Judicial System.    He retired in 2001. For over 35 years, Eliseo was an enthusiastic citizen of Jacksonville & lived a life dedicated to others in the community & to his Church. He leaves behind an exhaustive list of service & philanthropic accomplishments, among them:35+ years of service to Resurrection Catholic Church, including key positions in several ministries including Roses for Life & his beloved Music Ministry where he provided lively Latin percussion.  As a fundraising committee head in the early1980’s, he spearheaded a weekly neighborhood bingo game that played a crucial role in building of the “new” church building. Later, he joined others in the Parish spearheading the building of a new Parish Hall & Gym in the 1990’s.20+ years of dedicated service to Cursillos in Christianity, including serving as Lay Director, Rector & Team Leader on countless weekends (both English & Spanish).  However,within the Cursillo community, he may well have been best known – perhaps even infamous - for his spirited coordination of Cursillo “send-offs” & his comedic appearances for “picture time” with his dear friend James “Jimmy” Brown.17+ years of service to the Jacksonville Umpires Association including serving as its President & 8 years of service to Southside Youth Athletic Association as a baseball coach20+ years of service to the Cuban-American Club of Jacksonville including serving as its “Presidente” & several years of service on its executive committee.  More importantly to him however were the years of playing in the bands & dancing at the parties, Sunday softball & dominos fun.  Also, as part of his service to his fellow Cubans & Cuban-Americans, Eliseo was extremely active in countless campaigns to increase American awareness of the human rights abuses of the Castro government in Cuba.  He also led fundraising efforts to aid Cuban refugees in their transition to life in America & served as a mentor to Cuban refugee families that settled in Jacksonville. Ask people that knew him to describe Eliseo & you’d likely hear a few key words repeated again &again:  Faithful, Family Man, Servant Leader, Proud, Funny, Fun, & Loyal… & that’s just how he’d want to be remembered.   In addition to his wife Ofelia, Eliseo is survived by his daughter Carmen & son-in-law Stewartof Charlotte, NC; daughter Silvia & son-in-law Bob of Jacksonville; son David & daughter-in-law Fionnuala of Ponte Vedra; grandchildren Elli Michelle (& her husband Leo), Matthew, Scott (& his wife Ashley), Ryan, Sarah, Carly, Maria, Michael, Katherine, & Walker; his four brothers Jorge, José Alberto, Hector, & Cesar; & many nieces, nephews, in-laws, & cousins. Eliseo will be buried alongside his predeceased infant grandson Alexander José. Funeral Mass will be held in Jacksonville at 12:00 p.m. (noon) - Family will receive friends in the foyer of the church beginning at 11am.  - Monday 11/10/14, at Resurrection Catholic Church, 3383 University Blvd. North with procession immediately following Mass to rite of Christian burial at Arlington Park Cemetery at 6854 Lone Star Road. The family encourages donations in his name to:Alzheimer’s Association - Central & North Florida Chapter    378 Center PointeCircle, Ste 1280Altamonte Springs, FL  32701http://www.alz.org/cnfl/in_my_community_donate.asp Special thanks to his caregivers & doctor at JN&R. Special thanks to his many friends that helped him (& us) along the way – too many to mention! Thank you! May his soul & the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace.2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.