Leonardo De Jesus Delgado

Leonardo DeJesus Delgado Echemendia, age 89, of Tampa, FL, passed away peacefully at his home on June 6, 2016. Leonardo was born on November 6, 1926 in Jatibonico, Cuba to Luis Delgado and Aurora Echemendia. After arriving from Cuba he lived in Chicago, IL and then northern New Jersey, eventually settling in Tampa in 1971. He was an active member of Primera Iglesia Metodista, Masonic Lodge (Heroes y Martires), and Casa Cuba. Over the years, Leonardo wrote numerous articles that were printed in periodicals, newspapers, and magazines in the United States, Latin America and other countries. He dedicated his life advocating for human rights in Cuba through non-violent means. Leonardo is survived by his sisters Lilia Ramirez, Emelia Mejias, Mirtha Pulido and his brother Anselmo Delgado. Leonardo is also survived by his loving children, Nelly and Lamar Carter, Leonardo and Sherry Delgado and his grandchildren, Michael and Melanie Carter and Lynn and Bobby Thompson, Lindsey Delgado, and Edward Koziski. Surviving great grandchildren include Ana, Grace, and Elijah Carter along with Isabel, Samuel, Sara, and Katherine Thompson. Services will be held on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 12:00 at South Tampa Fellowship Ballast Point Campus located at 5101 Bayshore Blvd. Tampa, FL 33611 with graveside service to immediately follow at Garden of Memories 4207 East Lake Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to American Cancer Society, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Feeding Tampa Bay or The Foundation for Human Rights in Cuba.