Francisco O. Monzon

Francisco O. Monzon had a knack for storytelling and loved working with his hands. He had kind green eyes, a charming smile and a silly sense of humor. The loving family man passed away too soon at age 79 on Dec. 26, 2018 after a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Monzon was born on Oct. 4, 1939 in Limonar, a city in the Matanzas province of Cuba. One of four children, Monzon was bookish and idealistic. He loved to read and learn about the world around him. When he became a father of two and then a grandfather of three, he enjoyed telling stories about his childhood growing up in the Caribbean island he loved so dearly even though he and his family were forced to flee the country when communism took over.

Monzon went on to raise a family of his own and build a loving home with his wife of nearly 60 years, Hortensia Monzon. With two young daughters in tow, Monzon and his wife legally emigrated to the United States between the late '60s and early '70s in search of the American dream. They lived in New York for a time before settling down in south Florida. Monzon worked hard to support his family as a butcher. He ran a convenience store in New York for a time.

Throughout his life, he was quite the handyman, helping neighbors and friends with house projects and expanding the home he shared with his wife in their later years in Pembroke Pines.

Monzon is survived by his wife Hortensia; daughter Estela Myers and her husband John; three grandchildren Ashley Collins, Kyle Block and Justin Block; an older brother Orlando Monzon and younger sister Ofelia Vizcaino; and two nieces, Ileana Prestol and Janette Biramontes. He is preceded in death by his eldest daughter Tania Block, parents Francisco and Celedonia Monzon and eldest sister Olga.

Visitation will be held at 1 p.m. with a funeral service at 2 p.m. on Dec. 28, 2018 at Fred Hunters Funeral Home, 6301 Taft Street in Hollywood, Florida. The Rev. Pedro lleo will officiate. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. Entombment to follow at Hollywood Memorial Gardens Cemetery.