Mr. Juan Manuel Diaz

Born on October 11, 1932, in Havana, Cuba, the son of Juan and Manuela (Roldan) Diaz, Juan lived a life filled with love, resilience, and dedication to his family. He had one brother, Armando (Irma) Diaz. His parents, brother and brother’s wife pre-deceased him.

Juan was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of 68 years, Miryam Cuervo Diaz, with whom he shared a lifetime of love, partnership and worldwide travel adventures. He was a cherished father to Miryam Diaz Knigge (Tom) and John Paul Diaz (Sunshine), whose lives he enriched with wisdom, kindness, unwavering support and generosity.

A proud and loving grandfather, Juan adored his five grandchildren: Tommy (Briana), Tim (Jennifer), Ted, and Miryam "Rose" Knigge, as well as Ia Diaz. His legacy continues through his six great-grandchildren—Max, Leo, Zac, and Elizabeth Knigge, the children of Tommy and Briana, and Olivia and Evelyn Rose Knigge, the children of Tim and Jenn. His presence in their lives, and of his many also beloved relatives and friends, was a source of warmth and inspiration.

Juan grew up in Havana and was a proud boy scout who completed all the requirements to become an eagle scout. Juan’s journey from Cuba to the United States was one of courage and determination. He had the foresight to see the troubles that were ahead with the coming of the Cuban revolution. In 1960, he made the difficult decision to leave family members, friends, and possessions behind. With his wife and young daughter in tow, he left Cuba to find a better life. Being a true patriarch, once his parents were able to escape Cuba, he supported them, and they lived with him for the remainder of their lives.

He was blessed to work for the Coca Cola Company for forty-six years and through hard work, dedication, and intellect, he retired as a top executive. His journey with Coca Cola took him to the Bahamas (where Paul became a new addition to the family), New York, Miami, Atlanta with his last assignment in Mexico City. After retirement from The Coca Cola Company, Juan developed a training program (Centro de Estrategia y Desarollo del Sistema Coca Cola) for the Coca Cola bottlers of Mexico. He directed this program well into his 80's until he finally retired completely.

After retirement, he spent his time between his home in Dunwoody, Georgia, and his condo on Key Biscayne, Florida. He built a life filled with hard work, laughter, and deep family bonds. Whenever possible he attended major events in his children’s, grandchildren’s and great grandchildren’s lives, (birthdays, graduations, weddings etc.)

He will be deeply missed but forever remembered in the hearts of those who loved him. His family finds comfort in knowing that his love and legacy will live on through generations to come.