Eduardo Díaz Aponte

Eduardo was born in Guayama, Puerto Rico, on September 22, 1935, to Pío Díaz Rivera and Modesta Aponte de Díaz. He grew up in Carite, Puerto Rico, where his family owned and farmed land. From his marriage to Niove Argentina Sánchez Bretón came three beloved children: Vladimir G. Díaz Sánchez, Glenda Argentina Díaz Sánchez, and their cherished daughter, Niove Giselle Díaz Sánchez, who passed away at the tender age of 15 months.

Eduardo was a butcher throughout his working life and never missed a day of work, always wearing a shirt and tie as he left each morning. Above all, he was a lover of the arts, especially opera. His favorite voices included Andrea Bocelli and the Three Tenors: Luciano Pavarotti, Plácido Domingo, and José Carreras. But hearing his grandson, Sebastián, sing with the Washington National Opera, watching his granddaughter, Giselle, dance with The Washington Ballet at the Kennedy Center, and seeing his grandson, Stefan, perform in La Bohème at Wolf Trap were the performances of a lifetime for him.

He loved the baladas of Los Panchos and never missed an opportunity to be the lead singer of any parranda brewing during the festive Puerto Rican holiday season, from Thanksgiving all the way through the Octavitas. He was the original trovador of our lives.

Eduardo was preceded in death by his daughter, Niove Giselle Díaz Sánchez; his brother, Apolinario Díaz Aponte; and his adored sisters, Antonia Díaz Aponte, Martha Díaz de Mulinos, and Faustina Díaz de Pagán.

He is survived by his son, Vladimir Díaz, and his wife, Sara, and their children, Daliah Rebecca Díaz and her husband, Alexander Rafael Laya Magallanes, Gabriela Díaz, and Vladimir Andrés Díaz; and by his daughter, Glenda Harvey, and her husband, Stephen, and their children, Sebastián James Harvey, Giselle Ariana Harvey, and Stefan Eduardo Harvey. He is also survived by his beloved great-granddaughter, Aleina Gabriela Laya, and by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who adored him dearly.

Pallbearers will be Vladimir G. Díaz, Stephen James Harvey, Daliah Rebecca Díaz, Sebastián James Harvey, Giselle Ariana Harvey, and Stefan Eduardo Harvey.

Donations in honor of Eduardo Díaz Aponte may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Eduardo had a particularly tender heart for children and could not get through a St. Jude television advertisement without shedding a tear and asking for his checkbook so he could send a donation to help the children.

Our family extends sincere thanks to Dr. Gaunav Bandi, Dr. Charanjit Khurana and the devoted nurses at the VHC Cardiac Catheterization Lab, as well as the nurses and aides from VITAS Hospice who tenderly guided us through the saddest period of our lives, caring for Eduardo until the very end. We are especially grateful to Bryan Simpson, Luis Martínez, and María Esmeralda López Rodríguez.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, in the Rappahannock Room at National Funeral Home (7482 Route 29, Falls Church, VA 22042).

The Funeral Mass will be held from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Friday, October 2, 2026, at Saint Luke Catholic Church (7001 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA 22101), with Father Guest officiating. Lunch will follow at the Harvey home, 1235 Meyer Court, McLean, Virginia 22101.