Carlos Quintiliano Aguililla

If anyone ever cared, really cared for someone else it would have to be Carlos Q. Aguililla. He was a warm hearted and well liked individual, and these wonderful traits came easily to him because he was such a sociable and amiable person, someone who was always making certain that those around him had whatever they needed. Carlos was a man of his word and had his own opinions, although he was not confrontational, he typically said what he meant.

He was the son of Guillermo Aguililla and Asela Aguililla. During his childhood he learned to be reliable and respectful and he clearly understood the meaning of hard work. Carlos always respected and honored his father and mother. He seemed to also win the favor of others through his personality and demeanor. He always had sympathy and was kind in words and action to those around him. These admirable qualities would become a part of Carlos's character throughout his life.

Carlos was raised in Bayamo, Cuba on his father’s ranch called “Boqueron”, unfortunately, due to safety concerns during the revolution, his father had to send him to the United States at 17 years old. He spent the next 14 years in Elizabeth, New Jersey and from the age of 30, until his passing, he lived in the Ft. Lauderdale, Florida area.

Though Carlos was frequently the one to initiate games and activities with his family, he was also quite often the family member who took the role of referee. Carlos was raised with nine siblings. He had an older brother Guillermo (who was killed by revolutionaries in front of him when he was 16) three younger brothers; Raphael who died at three months old and Peter and Bill who currently reside in Georgia. He had four older sisters and one younger sister. The older sisters are: Margo (deceased), Marila, Silvia, and Mirta (who lives in Cuba) and his baby sister is Mercedes. Except for Mirta, all have always lived close to each other. Carlos and his siblings were always close, they visited each other and when younger, had evenings out together. They also made an effort to have Sunday dinners at their parents’ home. The brothers and sisters that lived in the area would come with the kids and talk, play cards and enjoy each other’s company. They cared deeply for one another.

As someone who reveled in the sheer joy of his experiences, Carlos was always enthusiastic about new adventures. Although he had an exacting nature, Carlos was always considerate. One thing Carlos will certainly be remembered for is that, when he got up in the mornings, he was ready and raring to go with a smile and ready to make others laugh. As a young boy, Carlos had a number of interests and was an active child. Carlos took part in Baseball, Riding Horses in Cuba for work and play. He also tamed the horses for his father in Boqueron. In his spare time he liked to go hunting, fishing, barbecue with the family, dance salsa and most of all play dominoes.

Carlos was an authentic and loving person, some would say “old-school”. He has been known to be sentimental and a romantic at heart. He always remembered to bring flowers to the women he loved, his daughter, his daughter in law (Clara) and his first wife even years after their divorce he would bring flowers for her birthday, Mother’s Day or other special days. His kindness and consideration radiated an aura of warmth to those around him. Carlos carried that into his marriage. On October 9, 1965 Carlos married Nancy Garrido, the mother of his two children at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Elizabeth. Compassionate and devoted, Carlos worked hard to make his new life partner happy. Although Nancy and Carlos divorced after 23 years, they always remained friends. He married twice after his first wife to Georgina and Margret but Nancy always had a very special place in his heart.

Harmony was important to Carlos and he made every effort to maintain it with his family. Carlos was blessed with two children, Douglas and Lizzette. He was also blessed with four grandchildren, Douglas, Cassandra, Jose-Carlos and Diana. Carlos enjoyed his grandkids and was very proud of his children’s accomplishments.

Carlos was one of those people who took pride in constantly putting forth his best effort. Nowhere was that more visible than in his work. He took his duties seriously and he expected the same from those around him. Carlos was a good team player, someone who was born to cooperate with others. He was what some would call a “people person” and it was demonstrated in his good communication skills. Carlos was a reliable and committed worker. He liked to be the first to get to work and the last to leave. He was always admired for his dedication by his employers and held as a highly valued employee. Although he did many things throughout his working life, including owning a furniture store, small restaurant, driving a dump-truck and a lunch-truck, his primary occupation was as a butcher. He retired a butcher from Publix. He brought laughter to his work environment, by his pranks and playfulness. However he would make sure that the job was done and done well. He did this while always maintaining an enjoyable atmosphere and never forgetting that he was there to work.

Blessed with a practical nature, Carlos was a person who appreciated the routine of the military. He was a man who took his obligations seriously. Carlos was an Army Veteran. He was a Private at Fort Jackson in South Carolina. He was supposed to be the reinforcements for the Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba but as thousands of soldiers like him, he was never sent. He thought about that often.

His favorite recent pastime was dominoes, while he enjoyed that throughout his life, in his younger years, he loved to dance salsa, merengue and even some rock-n-roll. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and a good softball game. He joined the Cuban Club in Elizabeth, New Jersey and was a member of the Club de Leones in Florida and he enjoyed going to the Club de Bayameses in Ft. Lauderdale as well.

Carlos was always enthusiastic about sports. He enjoyed watching a good boxing match, hockey game and baseball as well. He was a big fan of Mahoumed Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Frazer and many others. He also enjoyed watching the Olympics as he loved this Country.

Carlos was the kind of person who would readily move into action in order to help others. He was appreciated and respected. He could find value in the opinions of others and was passionate about his own values and beliefs. Politically, Carlos was Republican.

Carlos was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. His favorite pet was his English Setter, Terry who was a best friend for many years and a good hunting dog as well.

Since it was easy for Carlos to meet and get to know new people, he quickly made friends, even in retirement. Once he met those new friends, he loved sharing stories and talking about the good old days. Since he worked hard all his life, Carlos was ready to retire and finally did in 2004. In retirement, he found pleasure in fishing, listening to country music and still loved his dominoes games. Even in retirement, Carlos stayed in touch with his family and old friends and made plenty of new acquaintances.

Carlos passed away on June 19, 2015 at Grand Court Assisted Living of lung cancer. He is survived by his children, grandchildren, 2 brothers, 4 sisters and his first wife. Services were held at Forest Lawn Funeral Home South in Davie, Florida. Carlos was laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens South in Davie, Florida.

Carlos was a fantastic conversationalist who could engage just about anyone in a discussion. And whenever he said something, he meant it. Carlos was a down to earth person, outgoing and gregarious. He was without question the type of person who enjoyed experiencing things first hand. He was practical and sensible, but what friends and family will remember him for most is the fact that he was so understanding and kind. Everyone whose life he touched will miss Carlos Aguililla.