Jose Angel Ros

José was born June 27, 1919, in Manazillo, Cuba, the son of Sebastián Benigno Ros Romagosa and Edelmira Esperanza Escala Espinoza. José was the second oldest of Sebastián and Edelmira’s five children. His siblings were Araceli Ros Escala (d. 2000), Benigno Ros Escala (d. 2002), Eduardo Ros Escala (d. 2003), and Angel Ros Escala (d. 2003), and half-sister Adela Ros Escala (deceased).

José was married to María Esther Martinez on June 15, 1940 until her passing in 2013.

José played softball in Cuba for “Club 10” and participated in several international softball (fast pitch) tournaments in 1957, 1958, and 1960. He worked in his father’s automobile business, B. Ros and Sons, selling General Motors cars.

José arrived in the United States on February 12, 1962 as an exile of the Castro regime and made Miami, Florida his home. His first job was at Auto Parts and Salvage in early 1962. After that he worked at Universal Parts Warehouse and eventually at Flamingo Auto Parts in Hialeah, which he bought with his son Juan in (1980), until they sold the business in February 1989.

A lifelong vegetarian – unusual for the time, particularly in Cuba – and an avid fitness enthusiast, José was known for his exceedingly healthy habits which likely contributed to his extraordinary longevity.

As part of his fitness regimen, José would take daily naps, exercise regularly, practice yoga, and spend time in his home sauna. He enjoyed boxing as well as watching and playing tennis, which he did until his early 90s.

He followed politics and admired former President Ronald Reagan for Reagan’s outspoken stance against communism. He was fond of action films, particularly those starring Charles Bronson, Chuck Norris, or Clint Eastwood.

José is survived by his two children, daughter Ada (Rafael) Terrero and son Juan Carlos (Katy) Ros, seven grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.

José will be honored with a viewing at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home at 90 Weathersfield Ave, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714 on Thursday, August 4, 2022, from 6-9 pm.