Matias F Vidal

Matias F Vidal, 94, died June 13, 2026. Born February 25, 1932, in Cuba to parents Francisco and Maria, Matias was raised in Santiago de Cuba alongside three siblings, carrying the gladness of a happy, wonderful childhood like a steady light through the rest of his life. He later attended university in Cuba, earning a degree in Chemical Engineering—an achievement rooted in quiet diligence and an honest commitment to building a life of purpose.

In 1962, Matias married the love of his life, Graciella Vidal. Their marriage endured in love and loyalty until her passing in 2016, and together they welcomed four beautiful children. Matias was profoundly proud of the family he built; for him, family was not simply important—it was the center around which everything else found its meaning. He loved being a grandpa to his grandkids. He was a beloved presence who drew people in and held them close, like the sun of the family bringing everyone together.

In 1979, Matias immigrated with his family to the United States and they made a home in Houston, Texas. He began working for Lummus Crest upon arriving, and remained there until his retirement. In the constancy of that long chapter—showing up, providing, and doing what needed to be done—his devotion could be felt as clearly as it was lived.

Matias found joy in the simple, enduring pleasures of daily life. He loved baseball and was a proud Astros fan, with the game always playing in the background during the season, a familiar rhythm of summer and hope. He also had a legendary sweet tooth—sweets stashed everywhere, jars tucked away like small promises of delight. His office was often called “the candy shop,” and he lived by the cheerful certainty that “there is always room for dessert,” especially when that dessert was ice cream and pound cake. Just as generously, he shared his heart through writing, working on a memoir intended for his grandchildren—an offering of memory and love meant to outlast time.

A man of deep, unbreakable faith in God and Jesus, Matias was a proud Catholic and a member at St John Vianney Catholic Church. His faith was steady and faithful, shaping his days with humility and anchoring his care for others with a kindness that asked for nothing in return.

Matias was a man of few words, but when he spoke, you listened. People sought him out for advice, drawn to the calm clarity of his presence and the honest, generous way he met life and its questions. His legacy lives in the strong, tight knit family he built—and in the love he gave so freely within it. A hero and inspiration to his grandchildren, he will be remembered with enduring gratitude and deep affection.

Matias is survived by his children, Mary, Anna, Beatriz, and Matias; his grandchildren, Lilian, Florencia, Will, Andrew, Daniel, Oscar, Willem, Carlos, Mariangel and Maria; his great grandchild, Mito; and his son in laws, Augusto and Guillermo.