Lazaro "Armando" Vives

He was born in La Regla, Havana Cuba on Feb 11, 1928 to Bartolomes & Nieves (Roca) Vives. He was the youngest of 4, and the last remaining child. He began working as a shoe maker’s apprentice at the age of eight, needing to assist to support his family. Armando married Ana Luz Valdes in 1956, and had two daughters,

He immigrated to the US in 1963, after having assisted to overthrow the Batista regime. He initially entered in Florida, but soon moved to Bayonne, New Jersey, where his wife's brother and family lived. There he worked at the Ford Motor Company and Maidenform.

In 1971 he decided to move his family to Portland Maine, to find a quieter life. He became a dishwasher at The Cumberland Club. He worked in several factories before opening his own business, The Gold Boot Shoe Repair Shop on Congress St in 1981. His shop became a fixture at the bottom of Munjoy Hill where he also began assisting new immigrants and helping the Latino Community to become united.

He was a passionate man who loved music, dancing, reading, learning, sports, and the outdoors. He encouraged his daughters to excel in music and school, providing them with lessons in violin, guitar, Hawaiian guitar, cello, and piano. During the six years that his daughters played in the Portland Junior Symphony Orchestra, he sat through every rehearsal. He was determined to have his daughters attend excellent colleges and was extremely proud when they graduated from Williams College. When his youngest daughter wanted to continue with her education he continued to support and encourage her as she completed three more years at the University of New England.

In 1980 Armando was very proud to become an American Citizen. After opening The Gold Boot in 1981, he became very involved with the Latin Community and the Seventh Day Adventist Church, becoming a leader in both areas. When new immigrants arrived in Portland they were quickly directed towards him, as he would help them in any way he could. He would work tirelessly to assist people to find housing, furniture, work, medical care, food, and Jesus Christ. He assisted those dealing with substance abuse issues, and spent his Saturday afternoons with other church members, providing spiritual support and sermons to those incarcerated at the Cumberland County Jail. Though his English was at times difficult to understand he assisted others to complete forms and find their way through the legal, medical, and social systems in order to bring them to an independent level of existence. During the 1990’s he moved his shop to One City Center, renaming it to the Gold Boot II.

For two years in a row, (2005 and 2006) he received the “Leadership Cesar Chavez Award, Si Se Puede!” In 2006 he was also appointed an Honorary Deputy Sheriff of Cumberland County.

He loved life, Christ, his family (which was very extended, including hundreds of people whom he took in as brothers, sisters, daughters, sons and grandchildren), the beauty of all sights, sounds and thoughts, and provided others with uplifting smiles, humor, and twinkling blue eyes that said “Si Se Puede!” (“Yes You Can”).

A Special thank you is given to the wonderful staff on the CICU Unit of Maine Medical Center; your wonderful care of our father/friend/leader is greatly appreciated, as is the support that you provided to his family and friends. Your kindness and guidance helped us tremendously. And words cannot begin to express the gratitude felt for the incredible care and attention provided to Armando by his fiancé of two years, Ana Maria Santos.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a visitation on Sunday, August 25, 2013 from 4 – 6 p.m. at the Seventh Day Adventist Church, 91 Allen Ave, Portland. Testimonials will follow at 6 p.m. and a Funeral service will follow at 7 p.m.

Burial will be held Monday morning, August 26, 2013 in Evergreen Cemetery, Portland. A funeral procession will leave the Seventh Day Adventist Church at 9 a.m.