Alejandro Figueroa

Alejandro Figueroa was born on 23 Mar 29 in Isabela, P.R. He was the 2nd child of 9 born to the parents, Francisco Figueroa and Fulgencia Figueroa Ramos. He grew up in Isabela and although his family was very poor, he took great pride in sharing that he graduated from high school in Isabela.

As the 1st son, growing up during the depression Alejandro was pulled out of school to help his father work the fields while his siblings attended school. He loved school, enjoyed reading, writing, learning new things and always practiced his penmanship with both hands. Delaying his schooling made him sad but he loved his father and mother and would do anything for them, as they had a close-knit family bond. It was during this time that he was also chosen by his mother to assist with the care of his newly born sick brother. He often talked about warming the baby’s milk bottles while watching over his little brother. Unfortunately, the baby passed away on the 8th day. Little did he know, this life-changing event would affect him for the rest of his life. Throughout his life he would speak of seeing the baby,’s spirit playing and laughing around him. It saddened him to think that no one in the family even thought about his little brother anymore primarily because most of them never met him or were too young to remember.

At age 19, he contracted tuberculosis and was quarantined for one year in a TB asylum located one hour from his family. This was a pivotal, devastating time in his life because only two family members visited him that entire year. He was frightened, lonely and missed his family dearly. Like the typical Alejandro that he was, he turned this negative into a positive by placing the needs of others before his. As he slowly recovered and got stronger from his illness, he assisted the medical staff by feeding and passing out water pitchers to the other patients. When others were depressed, Alejandro would “pop wheelies” in his wheel chair for their entertainment. This wheelchair experience would later in years serve him to be more independent, as he once again was presented with the challenge of an illness that would eventually take his life.

At the age of 20, one year later, Alejandro was finally discharged from the asylum and escorted directly to the airport where he was flown to his new place of residency, New York City. He was welcomed and supported in his new life by his brother Felix and sister Maria and his mother who would later join them in NYC for years to come. He adored and worshipped them all, as was evident until their demise.

In NYC, Alejandro immediately started working in various jobs such as factory work, working in a bakery and a superintendent of an apartment building. Alejandro had a very strong work ethic always seeking an extra dollar per hour.

While working as a superintendent Alejandro met, unbeknownst to him, his future wife Felicia. He was introduced to Felicia by her aunt, “Tia Solila” who lived in that apartment building. During this yearlong courtship of going out to the movies, family gatherings and walks in Central Park he often shared with her the love he had for his one-year-old son Alex Jr. Alejandro and Felicia married one year later in New York City on 4 Feb 56 in a Catholic Church called, “La Iglesia Milagrosa”.

He attended and graduated from photography school in 1956. His specialty and passion was wedding photography’s and portraits. He was an excellent photographer, and very much sought after by his clientele which was built solely by word of mouth. He often spoke of his biggest “money making day” when he photographed nine weddings at his friends’ studio all in one day till after midnight and how he had to help carry the bride over the snow bank to get into the studio to prevent ruining her dress and shoes. He even went as far as “paying the cops off” so they would not ticket the multitude of cars that were double and triple parked out in front of the studio on the street in Bronx, NY.

In 1958, “the mold was broken” when their only daughter Flora Hilda was born.

Alejandro often dreamt and spoke with Felicia of building his own home with his bare hands. In the early 80’s he started building his first home in the Dominican Republic near Felicia’s family, while still working in NY. By 1991, he had built three homes in the town of Bonao, Dominican Republic. He actually got to live in two of these homes with Felicia after his retirement as a Truck Driver/Coffee Salesman for Bustelo Coffee Company.

In 1996, Alejandro and Felicia decided to move out of the Dominican Republic due to political riots and government financial crisis. They moved to Alejandro’s hometown, Isabela, PR. They bought property and he built his fourth and final home in which they lived for 13 years. He loved his hometown filled with childhood friends, siblings living nearby, hospitality of new neighbors, just an overall huge support system. He played dominoes with friends and often sat under the tree at the post office and gossiped with his old cronies. He was a talker. Nothing brought him more joy than to live in the home that he built with the experience and knowledge that he acquired throughout the years, definitely a self proclaimed architect. He worked hard and earned everything he got, which he was always willing to share. He was a very generous man. He would literally give the shirt off his back.

Alejandro loved reading the bible. They went to church every Sunday and prayed the rosary nightly with his wife. Sundays after church was always family and friends get together time in their home. They even gathered a prayer meeting group of sometimes 30 people on the 2nd floor balcony once a month.

He loved the Lord our God.

As Alejandro grew older he never stopped searching for that “pot of gold” even when he didn’t have any money he always managed to find at least one dollar even if he had to borrow it to play the lottery or “la bolita”,

(As it was called in NYC before it was legal) at Olga’s local grocery store in Isabela.

As his health would later decline, together Alejandro and Felicia made the decision to relocate to Largo, Fl and live next door to their daughter Flora for family support in 2010.

Upon their arrival in Largo, he immediately made it a point to meet everyone on “The Block”. He personally introduced himself to everyone in “The Hood” (neighborhood) on his walks everyday. He was kind to everyone and a gentleman always, often giving little gifts and cards to his neighbors and they in turn reciprocated. He always strived to better himself and blend with his community, so 6 mos. after arriving he attended free English classes locally. He drove himself every Tues. for his 10 a.m. classes, 2 blocks away. He was the oldest one in the class and made quite and impression on the instructors. Shortly there after, he was asked to help the less fortunate students with translation from English to Spanish. Everyone loved, admired and respected Alejandro no matter where he went. You could say that many looked up to him in many ways, and why not he was a great man.

In 2012 after being in remission for 11 years, Alejandro was once again diagnosed with cancer of the prostate/bladder. By 2013, it has metastasized. He would endure 2 years of relentless, ever increasing pain. His posture remained very erect (and many commented on this) as he progressed to the use of a cane for ambulation, followed by a walker and sometimes even a wheel chair, trying to pop a wheelie or two for his caregivers entertainment. He continued to be a very proud man. His greatest joy was to be surrounded by his family and friends, singing, laughing, and “talking stories”. I had the privilege and honor for the past 3 yrs and 6 mos to spend quality time with my father as we planned, worked, played and talked together and later as I took care of him till his dying day. I only wish I could have done more to spare him all the pain that he endured. I love you Pop always but, “we all have to go sometime” (his famous saying). Thanks for being the father that you were to me. Above all thanks for loving me. Until we meet again, my friend.

Biography in Spanish

Alejandro Figueroa nacio el dia 23 de Marzo en Isabela, Puerto Rico. Fue el Segundo hijo de nueve. Sus padres fueron Francisco Figueroa y Fulgencia Figueroa Ramos. Se crio en Isabela y a pesar que su familia fue muy pobre, el con mucho orgullo se graduo de Escuela superior en Isabela.

Como primer hijo y creciendo en el tiempo de la depresion, Alejandro tuvo que dejar la escuela para poder ayudar a su padre en el campo mientras sus otros hermanos atendian la escuela. A el le encantaba la escuela, la lectura, escribir y aprender cosas nuevas como practicar a escribir con las dos manos. Atrasandose en la escuela lo puso muy triste pero el queria tanto a sus padres que hacia cualquier cosa por ellos todos eran bien apegados. Para ese mismo tiempo, su madre le pidio que ayudara con su hermanito recien nacido cual nacio enfermo. En sus dias de vida, Alejandro siempre recordaba cuando velaba por sus hermanos pequenos y calentaba el biberon al recien nacido. Desafortunadamente, en el octavo dia el niño murio. Lo que no se imajinaba Alejandro es que este evento en su vida le affectaria para siempre. En el transcurso de su vida Alejandro hablaba y decia haber visto el espiritu del niño jugando y reindose a su alrededor. Le daba mucha pena saber que nadie en la familia pensaba en su hermanito primordialmente quizas porque nunca lo conocieron o porque estaban muy jovenes y no se acuerdan.

A la edad de 19, se enfermo con tuberculosis contraída y fue puesto en cuarentena y enviado a un asilo para tuberculosis por un año, localizado una hora lejos de su familia. Esto fue un tiempo giratorio y devastador en su vida ya que solo dos familiares lo visitaron en el transcurso de un ano. Tenia miedo y se sentia muy solo, le hacia falta su familia. Pero aqui no se acaba, conociendo al typico Don Alejandro como era, el decidio virar lo negativo a algo positive poniendo las necesidades de otros al frente de las de el. Mientras se reponia y poco a poco se ponia mas fuerte empezo ayudar a los empleados medicos ayudando a darles de comer a otros enfermos y pasandoles frascos de agua. Cuando habia alguien muy triste o con depresion, Alejandro hacia maromas en su silla de ruedas para hacerlos reir. La experiencia en esa silla de ruedas le sirvio anos mas tarde ser un poco mas independiente cuando una vez mas se le presento el desafio de una enfermedad que eventualmente le quito la vida.

A la edad de 20, un año despues, Alejandro fue dado de alta del asilo y escortado directamente al aeropuerto donde volo a su nueva residencia en Nueva York. Fue bien recibido y apoyado por su hermano Felix y hermana Maria al igual que su mama que llego mas tarde a Nueva York. El los adoraba y asi fue evidente hasta su fallecimiento.

En Nueva York, Alejandro comenzo a trabajar en differentes oficios, trabajo en una factoria, en una panaderia y hasta supervisor de apartamentos en un edificio. Siempre tuvo una fuerte etica de trabajo y siempre buscando hacer un peso mas.

Sin saberlo, mientras trabajaba en este edificio Alejandro conocio la que hoy en dia fue su esposa, Felicia. La tia de Felicia llamada “Tia Solila” que vivia en ese edificio se la presento. Durante un largo año de novios, paseando, ir al cine, paseos al parque central y reunions familiars Ajejandro siempre le decia a Felicia cuanto queria a su hijo de un añito, Alex Jr.

En Febrero 4 del 1956 Alejandro se caso por la iglesia catolica con Felicia en Nueva York en la “La Iglesia Milagrosa”.

Biography in Spanish

Biography in Spanish