Julio "Cachi" Alonso

Julio’s life was defined by courage, love, and devotion—to God, to family, and to the simple yet profound gifts of hard work and perseverance. In Cuba, he married the love of his life, Martha Miranda González, and in 1970, they welcomed their son, bringing immense joy and purpose to their lives.

When the tides of communism swept across his beloved homeland, taking away homes, freedoms, and dreams, Julio made a brave and selfless choice: to leave everything behind so that his family might live free. In 1971, through strength and perseverance, Julio guided his young family to Spain. Though they found refuge there, his heart still longed for a place where dreams could take root without fear. Three years later, he found it—the United States of America.

Julio often reminisced about the moment he first saw the Statue of Liberty, tears in his eyes as he whispered prayers of gratitude. To him, freedom was not just a right—it was a blessing, one for which he gave thanks every day.

The family first settled in West New York, New Jersey, where Julio worked tirelessly to build a life of stability and dignity. His hands, once calloused by labor, became symbols of resilience and love; through them, he built not just a living, but a legacy.

Later, yearning for warmth, sunshine, and a slower pace, Julio moved his family to Palm Coast, Florida, where he founded his own maintenance business, fittingly named “Me & Julio.” He poured his heart into his work, proud to serve his community and grateful for every opportunity God placed in his path.

Beyond his labor, Julio’s greatest fulfillment came from his faith. He was a devoted member of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church, where he helped form and participated actively in the *“Sal y Luz”* prayer group. His steadfast belief was a source of strength—not just for himself but for those around him. He prayed often, lived humbly, and trusted deeply in God’s plan for his life.

Although he embraced his adopted country with gratitude and love, Julio carried Cuba in his soul—its music, its landscapes, and memories of his family’s ranch, lost to the revolution yet forever alive in his heart. He loved the outdoors, nature’s quiet grace, and the rhythm of life that reminded him of home.

Julio is survived by his devoted son, Julio, and his wife, Vanessa Alonso; his treasured grandchildren, Isabella Jolie and Julio Andres Alonso; and his loving sister, Josefina Hidalgo. He is now reunited in heaven with his beloved wife, Martha, and so many family members who went before him—welcomed, surely, by the God he trusted and served so faithfully.

Julio will be remembered for his courage, his generosity of spirit, and the deep faith that illuminated his life. His story is one of love, endurance, and gratitude—a reminder that even in exile, God provides new beginnings.

His legacy lives on in his family and in all those whose lives were touched by his kindness, strength, and steadfast belief in the power of faith and freedom.