Luis Alberto Daza

Luis Alberto Daza was born in Bogotá, Colombia, on September 19, 1920. He started his education at the La Salle Christian Brothers School, followed by college at the Jesuit University. The principles acquired in these institutions were a defining factor in Alberto´s life. They instilled in him a profound love of God and a life-long devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Since the time he was an altar boy, he attended Mass and other religious services at the Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in the colonial district of Bogotá. Virgin Mary was a constant presence throughout his life, a ray of hope, and a trusted companion in difficult times.

In the fulfillment of professional and family responsibilities, Alberto was a model for all to imitate. His associates and friends entrusted him with the most sensitive business and/or personal matters because they knew that he was an honorable man and true to his word. For Alberto, a person´s word of commitment should be written in gold and honored just like a written contract. When it came to his personal life, the family´s wellbeing and the education of his three daughters were top on his list. He spared no efforts. He taught his daughters many values: respect, integrity, hard work, and the conscientious discharge of responsibilities. He encouraged them to never stop dreaming, and challenged them to always achieve higher goals.

He was a world traveler, and enjoyed stays in several countries, including Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Peru, and Portugal, where he made many friends. After retiring from a successful career in insurance brokerage in Colombia, he immigrated to the United States in 1993. Once he became a U.S. resident, he found a new niche in the Portuguese-Speaking Catholic Community. He created strong bonds of friendship with many parishioners there who today call him papá.

He is survived by his wife, Margot Gómez de Daza; daughter Martha Daza of Springfield, VA; daughter and son-in-law Olga and Joseph Sting of Springfield, VA; daughter and son-in-law María Cristina and Ronald Sting of Memphis, TN; and grandson and granddaughter-in-law Philip and Jeanne Sting of Orlando, FL.Visitation will be Tuesday, April 24, 2012 from 6 to 9pm at Demaine Funeral Home 5308 Backlick Road Springfield, Virginia, 22151, 703-549-0074. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at the Church of the Nativity, 6400 Nativity Lane, Burke, Virginia 22015 on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. Internment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis, Tennessee. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in the name of Luis Alberto Daza to St. Jude Children´s Research Hospital, P. O. Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148. Please include an address where a reply card may be sent.