Sunday October 11, 2015 at noon, Anibal Nazario passed away at his home next to his wife, daughter and mother in law. He is survived by his wife of 27 years Elsa Elena (Munoz), his two daughters Gina Stephanie Nazario and Selina Perez, and her husband Raul Perez-Ortiz and grandchildren Angelica and Raul Perez.
Born in Manhattan NY, and raised in the Bronx. He was the first born of Milagros Cotto and Rafael Nazario and the oldest of 6 brothers and sister: Rafael, Edward “Edwin”, Antonio, Milagros and Lissette Nazario. . Anibal was raised by his Beloved Grandparents, Maria Nazario and Anibal Tosses. To make it easy for his grandmother, his grandfather gave him the nickname of “Anibita”. He grew up as the youngest of four cousins, Evelyn, Julio “Tito” and Irma “China” Martinez. Anibal’s was loved by his Mother and Father in law Lydia and Agustin Munoz, his brother- in- law Arturo Munoz and his sisters-in- law Clara and Omayra Munoz. His family was extended by his many friends and neighbors. His loving and trusted character made him unforgettable, he was loved and appreciated by almost everyone who knew him.
Anibal join the U.S. Marine Co., in 1974 and he was honorable Dischared in 1980. His passion was to become a Police Officer, but life got in his way, so he chose to follow his grandfather and his father’s legacy and become a Car Technician. In 1990 he moved his family from Puerto Rico to Florida and after starting his career at Ferman Nissan, he understood how difficult it was for his coworkers to pronounce his first name, so he took the first and the last letter of his name and gave himself the nickname of “AL” and that’s how he was known by everyone. In his 42 years of work, Anibal helped countless people, fixing cars for friends, single parents, or just anyone who was struggling, most of the times without asking for anything in return. He would bring used tires from his job so he could give them to the students at his daughter college when they needed them knowing that college students resources were limited..
His talent did not stop with Cars, he was a plumber, an Electrician, he was the cable man, a counselor to his friends and family, a loving husband, an old fashion Gentleman that stood up every time his wife entered to a room and brought flowers to her without reasons or agenda. Always easy going. He stood quiet, if he did not have anything good to say. He was respectful of everyone’s feelings and their decisions.
He loved to wear his NYPD jacket or T-Shirt and hat every time he could and every time he was asked if he was on the job, he would stand tall and reply, “No, My brother and his wife are”. The look on his face was always full of pride for his younger brother Edwin and his wife Tracey.
Anibal loved his Mustang and his watches, but was never attached to any material things. He liked to watch old movies and eat the sandwiches his wife prepared for him, especially his favorite “Chicken parmesan sandwich” with a Pepsi and potatoes chips while wearing his Walt Disney PJ, his Nike Tank tops and bedroom sleepers. The happiest place on earth to him was “Walt Disney”. He loved to go with his family and ride the most spectacular daring rides; it was a thrill for him. He was most proud of his daughters and liked to brag about how they can change the oil or a tire or jump a car and change the oil filter of a car like any man would have. But most of all knowing they had gone through college and graduated was what gave him that sense of accomplishment. He used to say very often “They are my Pride and Joy”
Thanksgiving was the preluded of his favorite season. Only HE, was allowed to season the 35 pound Turkey and to us, it was the best Turkey in the world. Waking up, eat breakfast while watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade was a must, and later after the thanksgiving dinner, Anibal would fall to sleep while watching the Wizard of OZ, as he always said, “ it is a family tradition”.
The Christmas Eve dinner was the Year event for him. Getting all of his family together at dinner, laughing and sharing stories, and later exchanging presents followed by a Block Buster Movie was a tradition he looked forward to every year. Christmas morning was the best, looking with joy at the face of his family while opening the presents. A big breakfast sandwich while assembling toys and gadgets was also a must. We will always remember the 2002 Christmas season, we found the same Train set his grandfather gave him when he was a child. It was unforgettable, the look on his face when he unwrapped the box. It was priceless. He rushed to assemble it so he could play with it, like the boy he used to be from the 50’s. From that year on, the train was under the tree in every Christmas season. It was same look we saw on his face, when Gina got him the March of Wooden Soldier’s DVD. Nothing else mattered that morning. His eyes lit up and he had tears of joy, full of happy memories from his childhood.
A few weeks before he passed, the family gathered in his hospital room, cousins nieces, nephews daughters, grantdaughter, brother, sister- in- law and mother in law, they were looking at old pictures and they were telling stories and laughing, while Anibal stood quite looking at them. I asked him what was he looking at, and he replied, “I am looking at my family” so I asked again “Do you know that you are loved?”, and he replied, “I know I was loved, I just did not know I was loved this much.”
Anibal was, for us, one of the best men on this earth. He was strong and kind at the same time, honest, selfless, laid back, loving husband, father, Grandpa, brother, cousin and the best friend any one could have asked for and although he knew his life was ending, he also knew that his love would never die, it will always stay with us.
Until we meet again, take our love with you.
A visitation will tooke place on Thursday, October 15, 2015 from 6 to 9PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home. A funeral mass was then be celebrated at St. Paul's Catholic Church at 10AM on Friday, October 16, 2015.
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