Avelino Casellas

He was affectionately known by all who loved him as “Papo”.

He attended university in Cuba but was unable to complete his studies. In 1957/58, he made the difficult decision to leave Cuba and his family there and joined his Casellas family here in Tampa, Florida where he was greeted and welcomed with open arms and surrounded by loving family.

Papo immediately sought employment and began working at the bi-weekly newspaper, The Florida Sentinel-Bulletin as a typesetter where he remained a faithful and loyal employee until his retirement as a supervisor in 1983.

In 1966, he married Esperanza Hernandez with whom he spent 50 years as a devoted husband.

He was a hard worker, became a U.S. Citizen and stayed true to his goal of bringing family members from Cuba to join him in Tampa. In 1980, his son, Jose Antonio “Pepé”, made his journey from Cuba to Tampa. A few years later, his brother, Pedro “Púpi”, joined them when he too crossed the waters from Cuba. An avid baseball fan, he spent many days watching various teams and games, but was especially fond of The Rays.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased earlier this year by a brother, Juan Casellas, and a sister, Sergia “Cusita” Casellas, both in Cuba.

He is survived by his wife, Esperanza, his devoted son, Jose Antonio, of Tampa, a son, Pedro Luis, of Havana, brother, Pedro of West Palm Beach, sister Xiomara Casellas-Upierre of Havana, Cuba, a stepson Fernando Hernandez (neé Robert Williams) and family of New Jersey, and host of family in Cuba and many nieces, nephews and cousins in the United States.

Papo brought joy, laughter and love to everyone. After blessing us with the privilege of sharing 95 wonderful years with him, on October 17, 2016, he quietly slipped away and is now at eternal rest.

Descanze en paz.