Lazaro A Leon

Lazaro Amaury Leon, known to most as Larry, and to family and old friends as Amaury, passed away peacefully on September 30, 2026, at the age of 75, surrounded by family.

Larry was born in La Habana, Cuba, where his family lived in the Marianao area near Las Alturas de Belén. At eight years old, he was sent alone to the United States through the Catholic Church's Pedro Pan Program — one of over 14,000 children airlifted out of Cuba to escape Communist rule. He stayed temporarily at Boys Town in West Kendall (now Camp Matecumbe) before being placed at St. Joseph's Orphanage in Green Bay, Wisconsin, until his family was able to leave Cuba and reunite with him.

Back in Miami, Larry grew up in the Shenandoah/Silver Bluff neighborhood, attending Silver Bluff Elementary, St. Hugh Catholic School, La Salle High School, and Miami Senior High School, graduating in 1969. A natural athlete, he excelled in basketball and baseball throughout his school years and was active at Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the Boys Club of Miami. He went on to earn his AA while playing baseball at Dade County Junior College, now Miami Dade College, before completing his Bachelor's degree at the University of Miami.

Larry began his career in pharmaceutical sales, which is how he met the love of his life, Martha. They married on June 7, 1981, and built a life together that would span over four and a half decades. He later moved into the auto industry, where he spent the rest of his career across dealerships throughout South Florida.

Above all, Larry was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather, who loved his family deeply and took great pride in his children and grandchildren. A lifelong sports fan, he rooted for the Miami Heat, Miami Dolphins, and University of Miami Hurricanes, with a soft spot for the Green Bay Packers as well.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Luis A. Leon and Julia O. Leon; his brother, Santiago A. Leon, and his son, Scott K. Leon.

He is survived by his wife, Martha M. Leon; his son, Lazaro A. Leon; and his daughter, Nikole D. Rivera and several grandchildren.

Services: Tuesday, October 6 — 6:00pm Burial: Wednesday, October 7 — 11:00am Caballero Rivero Woodlawn, 11655 SW 117th Ave, Miami, FL 33176

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Larry's memory to the Michael

J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research:

https://tribute.michaeljfox.org/tribute-page.php?id=3697&np=true