It is with broken hearts & deepest sorrow, that the family of Ricardo "Rico" Parada wish to share the passing of a much loved brother and Uncle. Brother Richito to his little sister, Uncle Ric to his many nieces and nephews, left us on April 2, 2022, passing away peacefully in his home to join his beloved parents, big sister Norma Jean, brother-in-law Robert Berroteran and nephew Daniel Berroteran in God's Heavenly Kingdom.
Born September 4th 1927 to Leopoldo "Battling Chico" (Mexico's Welter Weight Champion, 1927) and Margarita Gurrola Parada, here in El Paso, he created cherished, childhood memories with his sisters, growing up along with the city of his birth.
A graduate of Austin High, class of 1947, he attend Texas College of The Mines which is today UTEP where he was majoring in Architectural Engineering. But with the looming threat of the Korean war, decided to enlist in the United States Navy, 1948. Assigned to the USS Atlanta out of Seattle, he received orders to transfer to San Diego, serving as an Honor Man with his company. It was there that fate would acquaint him with a shipmate whose mother sent her son ice skates from home, which said son promptly offered to Ric, and otherwise would have been disposed of in the nearest trash receptacle. Being a West Texas native, adventuresome and willing to try just about anything life threw his way, he found an ice rink not far from the Navel Base and taught himself to skate.
His stay in CA would also lead him to study Flamenco where he was encouraged by Rita Lupino, sister to Ida, whom he had met at Nicko's Dance Studio on Wilshire Blvd. in Hollywood to begin lesson's with the father of Rita Hayworth, Eduardo Cancino one of the greatest Flamenco teachers in Spain! His dream was to travel to Spain to continue lesson's with Cancino but traveling across the Atlantic would require financing which meant he needed a job. Landing in NYC, working at Hunts Building Marts, drawing and designing kitchens for their clients, skating in the evenings at the famous Rockefeller Center, it was here that he would audition for Ice Capades in 1957. He would be hired as a "Dance" Skater and thus found himself with a career that would take him around the world from Russia to Australia and more, for the next 17 years.
Before receiving the telegram informing him he was to sign a 3 year contract to skate, he left Hunts, returned to El Paso to form a dance troupe with Lita Candela but is was short lived as the telegram from Ice Capades came shortly there after that drew him away from his family and home town once more.
Travel weary, he retired from the "show" to return to El Paso to assist with the care of his elderly father until "Battling Chico" fought his biggest and last battle, passing in 1975. Never to be idle, he taught Flamenco lessons, was very involved with Viva Mexico, became certified as a masseuse, continued to use his skills as a draftsman in architecture and taught skating lessons at the Rhinos practice facility until the age of 82.
A confirmed bachelor, he left his legacy in the hands of his dearly loved sisters, and is survived by his sister Enriqueta and his brother-in-law, Ret. Lt. Col William J. Perry of Elm Grove, LA., their sons, Carlos Berroteran, Jr. and wife Jan of Bossier City, LA., Leo Berroteran and wife Judy of Kansas City, MO., William P., Richard S. and Philip L. Perry all of Elm Grove, LA., daughters Rebecca and husband Wade Woodruff of Shreveport, LA. and Clarissa "Mica" Berroteran of El Paso, TX., nephew Robert Berroteran, Jr. and wife Bonnie, nieces Marlene Berroteran, Patricia Jasso and husband Fred of El Paso, Dora Trekell and husband Andy of Huntington, TX., and Rita Beebee and husband Bruce of Livingston, TX., 24 great nephews, 20 great nieces, 24 great-great nephews, 17 great-great nieces and 1 great-great-great nephew, and 1 great-great-great niece.
Pallbearer's Carlos Berroteran, Jr., Leo Berroteran, Robert Berroteran, Jr., Michael Tellez, Jordan Berroteran, and Alex Berroteran.
Mr. Karl Twichell will officiate the service on Monday, April 18th with visitation beginning at 10 AM at Funeraria Del Angel Central, 3839 Montana Avenue. Interment will follow service at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery, at 1:30 PM.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful staff of The Hospital of Providence ICU & AM Hospice for their expert help in keeping our most loved Brother, Uncle comfortable in his remaining days.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FunerariaDelAngelCentral.com for the Parada family.
