Angel "Chiro" Rafael Concepcion

Angel R. “Chiro” Concepcion was born on February 22, 1945 in Barceloneta, Puerto Rico born to Angel R. Concepcion-Reyes and Maria “Socorro” Reyes who are both deceased. Angel has three children from his first marriage; Benjamin Concepcion, Nancy Concepcion-Cordero and Angel R. Concepcion, Jr. who all reside in Rochester, New York. Angel also has three other children from his second marriage; Frankie Concepcion, Jonathan Concepcion and Javier Concepcion. Angel has one brother Victor Concepcion and two sisters, Elizabeth Raldiris and Cruz Hill. Angel has 17 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.

Angel moved to Rochester, New York in 1969. He was a construction worker for the City of Rochester until 1972. Due to an accident, Angel became disabled. He endured many years in body casts. Not even a cast kept him still. His children remember the many times that they went fishing and Angel came home without the bottom of his cast. His children remember him as a family man, always uniting his family in every possible way whether it be a pig roast or a fishing excursion. Angel loved the outdoors. Everyone remembers Angel’s love for fishing, especially making fishing rods out of soda cans. Angel had a great sense of humor. He was magnificent with his hands. He built the homes for all his children from the ground up. He was definitely a great hairdresser especially when he had to get his daughter ready for school every day. Nancy had the best pony tails with the straightest part than any other girl in school. His favorite sport was baseball. He never missed any of his son’s baseball games.

He met his second wife, Carmen Correa in 1978. Angel was happily married to Carmen for the past 31 years. They lived in Rochester until 1991 and moved to Tampa, Florida with their three children. Angel carried his passion for fishing to Florida. His son’s would always remember the many times that they went fishing with their dad. He was a sports dad for his two younger boys, Jonathan and Javier. Angel never missed any of their games as well.

Many of his talents were passed on to his sons. Benji loves the great outdoors. Angel, Jr. can remodel an entire home and loves fishing. Javier can take a car engine apart and put it back together. Frankie can remodel a home in and out. Jonathan is great with his hands. He will give you the best hair cut ever as well as help with remodeling a home. Although though his daughter Nancy can’t build a home, she has been successful in building her own business. All of these talents and traits have been instilled by their father’s ethic values and hard work.

Angel became sick in 2003. He had a stroke, but Angel was able to walk. After his stroke, he remained in rehabilitation for three months. He was able to walk, but not speak. The only person who was able to understand his verbal needs was his wife Carmen. Even in his condition, his youngest son Javier brought Angel to visit his family to Rochester, New York in 2007. In May of 2008, he was able to visit Puerto Rico with his wife Carmen for her 40th Year High School Reunion.

In January 2009, Angel became ill again and suffered from a broken hip and acute renal failure. Angel was bed-ridden ever since. In February 2010, Angel was admitted to the hospital due to fluid in his lungs. Even though he endured many years of pain and suffering, Angel was a fighter and he went out like a champion.

On March 6, 2010, Angel was called Home to be with the Lord. Angel will be truly missed by family and friends. Although Angel is absent from earth, the memory of him will always live in our hearts.