Carlos Manuel Pereiro

If you ever heard laughter echoing from a backyard barbecue, spotted a towering figure at a Friday night football game, or found yourself deep in conversation about cars, Cuban cooking, or Florida sports with a man who made you feel like family, you probably met Carlos Pereiro. And if you didn’t, well, you missed out on one of life’s great characters.

Carlos Manuel Pereiro was born in Pinar del Río, Cuba, and made his way to Southwest Florida in 1969, where he grew into a 6'7" gentle giant whose heart somehow managed to be even bigger than his frame. He passed peacefully at home in Estero on Sunday, October 19th, leaving behind a legacy of love, laughter, and legendary family gatherings.

Carlos was the beloved son of Jose M. and Olga Pereiro, who surely welcomed him with open arms and a pot of arroz con pollo in heaven. He is survived by his siblings Nayda Weirich (Tim), Sixto Pereiro (Isela), and Olga Jerome, along with a proud parade of nieces and nephews: Mark (Arlene), Daniel, Isela, Victoria, Ryan (Carly), Kristina (Kyle B), and Richard Steck (Karen), son of his late sister Martha Pereiro.

Carlos spent 33 joyful years with his bride, Teresa. Together they took on life's many adventures through 28 years of marriage. Carlos was a devoted husband, dad to Aaron Collins (Aimee), and doting Pop Pop to Landen, Hailey, Hunter, and Luca. Whether it was dance practice, soccer games, or spontaneous ice cream runs, Carlos showed up. Always.

A Naples High School alumni, and his loyalty to Friday night Golden Eagles football and Miami Hurricanes even when they gave him heartburn. Carlos loved everything with wheels and could easily spot a future purchase from across the showroom floor. He liked to tinker and build things to help entertain friends and family, like the BBQ grill he saw in a Fort Myers park, because why buy one when you can build it better?

Carlos had a knack for making everything “just so.” He learned the ropes of property ownership from his uncle and managed several rentals in his younger years. He also invested 20 years to Publix and worked his way up the management ladder. But his true gift was hospitality. He was the life of every party, the chef behind every feast, and the guy who could talk to anyone about anything—from politics to the best way to season pork.

Through all of life's ups and downs, Carlos kept his signature upbeat, can-do attitude. He made people feel seen, heard, and loved. And he never missed a chance to crack a joke, flash a smile, or ask how you were doing and then actually listen.

Carlos’s Celebration of Life will be held at Hodges Funeral Home at Naples Memorial Gardens on Saturday, October 25th at 11am. Bring your stories, your laughter—because if Carlos were here, he’d want to hear every word.

Heaven just got a little louder, a lot funnier, and infinitely more welcoming. Rest easy, Carlos. You were one of a kind.