Dr. Jose T. Perdomo

Dr. José “Pepe” Tomás Perdomo passed away peacefully on April 26, 2020 at the age of 91. Pepe was born in 1929 in Havana, Cuba, the first child of four of José Tomás and Hortensia Perdomo (neé Costa) and had three sisters Blanca, Caridad, and Elena. He attended high school at the Hermanos Maristas in Havana and went on to earn his degree in Agricultural Engineering at the University of Havana. He married Miriam (neé Suarez) in 1957 and they soon had two children, José Eduardo in 1958 and Myriam in 1961. In 1961, he exiled to the United States with his wife and young children. After a short time in Miami the family settled in Gainesville, Florida, where they found a home away from home among exiled Cuban academics. In 1964, his son Pedro was born. At the University of Florida, Pepe studied and taught at the College of Agriculture, earning his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. In 1970, Pepe moved to Maracay, Venezuela where he joined the faculty of the Universidad Central de Venezuela, College of Veterinary Medicine, teaching for over 25 years as well as consulting throughout the country.

He relocated back to Miami in 1989 and taught biology at Miami-Dade County Public Schools. In Miami, he and Miriam spent the last three decades living near their children and grandchildren. Pepe was a life-long Boy Scout, a member of the Knights of Columbus, a proud Gator and a University of Florida Alumni Association member for over fifty years. He was a passionate scientist and a beloved mentor to many students. Most of all, he was deeply committed to his family and taught his children and grandchildren the value of hard work, lifelong learning, generosity, and resilience. He will be remembered for his soft-spoken wisdom, vivid stories of Cuba, patience, kindness, and love for his family. He is survived by his wife Miriam of 62 years of marriage, sisters Blanca and Elena (Antonio), children José Eduardo (Nancy), Myriam “Titi” (Rommel), and Pedro, and grandchildren Erica (Brad), Joanna (Scott), Rommel (Cindy), Jorge, Ryan, Melissa, Michelle, and Christian.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 11:00am at Miami Memorial Park Cemetery.