Enrique Diaz

Enrique Diaz ("Papi") was born March 25, 1934 in Matanzas, Cuba. As he often described it - "en el campo". Working from a very young age, he started in the construction industry and even built a home in Cuba. However, as so many others, he was displaced and emigrated to the US in 1959, leaving his self-built home to be taken over by the government.

Arriving in Miami with no money and not speaking English, Papi quickly found work in an aluminum factory. After a serious injury on the job, Papi studied to became a barber. His prized “guinea pigs” were his two sons, Henry and Eddie - always "eager" to show schoolmates and friends the latest of Papi’s cut. Eventually, Papi moved into the jewelry field becoming a jeweler and diamond setter. It was the jewelry field that allowed him to meet the love of his life - Sylvia Jimenez.

He married Sylvia Jimenez on August 12, 1961, and they honeymooned in New Orleans, where Pat O'Brian's served as their headquarters. They had their first born - Henry - in 1963, their second - Eddie - in 1968 and the baby of the family - Sylvia - in 1971.

Papi was a self-made man, an incredibly hard worker, a great provider to his family, a person who literally gave the shirt off his back to those in need. After tragically losing his wife at a young age, Papi was forced to take on both mother and father roles to his three then-teenaged children. Without skipping a beat, he attacked his new role as he did everything in life - with a sense of commitment, positivity, and joy.

Papi knew how to have fun too - he never met a lotto ticket he didn’t scratch, a slot machine he didn’t pull, a cigar he didn’t smoke, and a song he didn’t dance to. He always focused on the positive in everything and everyone.

Another one of his passions was cruising - he was introduced to cruising later in life but quickly became hooked. He was fortunate to have visited Mexico, the Mediterranean as well as many islands in the Caribbean. He cherished these family trips and could not wait until the next one.

Papi is survived by his children: Henry Diaz (Zeraida), Eddie Diaz (Gigi), and Sylvia Antelo (Henry); his grandchildren: Andres Diaz (Jess), Sophia Diaz, Lucas Diaz, Alessandra Diaz, and Diego Diaz and his step-grandchild Henry Roger Antelo, Jr. (Dianelis); his great-grandchildren Alex and Adrian; his brothers Leobardo Diaz, Orestes Diaz, and Jorge Diaz, and his many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia Diaz, and by his sister Ada, his brother Ruben, and his parents Santiago and Julia.

Papi, we will miss you every moment of every day. We will carry your honor, humor, faith and smile everywhere we go. We're happy you are finally reunited with Mami - please give her a big hug and kiss from us - we miss her too very much. With the two of you in heaven as our guardian angels, we walk forward proud and blessed to have known you, loved you and to have been able to call you Papi.