Baltasar Corrada del Rio was born in Morovis, Puerto Rico on April 10, 1935. His parents Romulo and Ana Maria were farmers. From a young age, Baltasar wished to be an attorney. He attended the University of Puerto Rico followed by the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. In 1959 he married Beatriz Betances Acosta. Soon after joining a prestigious firm, he felt a desire to work for the community so he accepted the position of President of Puerto Rico’s Civil Rights Commission.
Baltasar left his practice and was elected to the United States Congress in the 1976 election as Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served for eight years. Among his many achievements was his foundation of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus, now known as the Congressional Institute of the Hispanic Caucus. He served as its first Vice-President. Following his time in Washington, Baltasar returned to Puerto Rico. He served as Mayor of San Juan and Secretary of State, a position where he acted as Vice-Governor. His greatest professional achievement, however, was his appointment as Associate Justice of Puerto Rico’s Supreme Court. He served for ten years before retiring from public life at the age of 70. Baltasar moved to Fort Myers in 2007 to be closer to those members of his family who lived there. They are Ana Corrada Gregg and family and Juan Carlos Corrada Betances and family. In 2012 he sadly lost the love of his life, his wife of 53 years, Beatriz.
Baltasar leaves an indelible footprint in Puerto Rico’s history after serving in all three branches of government. However, what distinguished Baltasar was his love of Christ and family. As a devout Roman Catholic he believed in Christ’s teachings and Resurrection. As the head of his family, he acted with the greatest love and support. He passed on Sunday, March 11 of Parkinson’s Disease. Upon his death the Governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Roselló decreed five days of mourning for the island. His wishes were to be interred in the farm where he was born in Puerto Rico.
Between a humble beginning and a humble end, Baltasar led a most wonderful, fulfilling life, loved and admired by his countrymen and especially his family.
Baltasar’s children and grandchildren are Ana and Ralph Gregg and their sons Michael and James, Francisco Corrada and his daughter Mayra, Juan Carlos Corrada, wife Sherry and their sons Matthew and Jonathan Zielinski and Alexis Marie Corrada. They will keep his memory alive. They are certain that Baltasar and Beatriz are now happily together again in Heaven.
A Memorial Mass will be held Saturday, April 7th at 11:00 am at St. Columbkille Catholic Church 12171 Iona Rd. Fort Myers, FL. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research. His Tribute page can be found at Michaeljfox.org/tribute. Arrangements were entrusted to Hodges Funeral Home at Lee Memorial Park (239) 334-4880.
Masses for Baltasar Corrada were held in Puerto Rico on Thursday, March 22 at 7 pm at Iglesia San Jorge in Condado, on Friday, March 23 at 7 pm at Iglesia San Ignacio de Loyola in Santa Maria and on Saturday, March 24 at 11 am at Iglesia Nuestra Senora del Carmen in Morovis..
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