Alberto Recio

Alberto S. Recio, beloved father and husband, passed away on September 21, 2020, in Miami, Florida at age 98. A native of Cuba, he was born in Camaguey in 1922, the second of three children to loving parents Serapio and Clara. He lost both parents by age 10 and together with siblings Graciella and Leopoldo moved to Santiago de Cuba to live his aunt Margarita, her husband Jose, and son Kiki. Some of his fondest memories were of the many friends he made in Santiago, where he loved to row and explore the Bay.

In 1943, he left Santiago to attend the University of Havana where he earned a degree in Agricultural Engineering. Upon graduation in 1947 he returned to Camaguey to reclaim and rebuild the family business, which had been held in a trust following his parents passing. In 1951 he married Angela H. Portilla; and in 1955 and 1959 were blessed with sons Alberto and Eduardo, respectively.

Following the communist takeover of Cuba in 1959, he would spend the next 3 years undertaking clandestine activities against the regime. In 1962 he was finally able to emigrate to the United States with his wife Angela and sons Alberto and Eduardo, seeking to provide a better life for his family beyond the tyranny of communism. In 1965, Alberto and Angela were again blessed with daughter, Graciella.

After initially settling in Miami, the family moved to Belle Glade where he began working with the Fanjul family. Over time he became a key player in the acquisition of land to grow the business into what is now known as Florida Crystals and the Fanjul Group. He worked his way up in the organization where he held many positions, representing the company on many boards, reaching Vice President of Operations and a seat on the board of Flo-Sun.

Alberto always approached his work with an ownership mindset and made his work his hobby, although he loved deep sea fishing and spending time on the water as well. His family was his passion and despite the hours he dedicated to his work he was always there for us until his passing. His later years were filled exploring the four corners of the world with his adventurous wife, Elena Arrellano de Villoldo, who kept him entertained with her zest for life.

Alberto is survived by his children Alberto (Carol), Eduardo (Cristina), Graciella; grandchildren Steven, Sophia, Gabriela, and Daniela Recio; Patrick and Natalia DeTorres; and his wife Elena Arrellano de Villoldo her children Alberto Villoldo, Helen Carpenter, and grandson Jack Carpenter. He was predeceased by his first wife Angela, siblings Graciella, Leopoldo, and Kiki; and beloved grandson Alberto M. Recio Jr (AJ).

His was a long life, well lived and we are to blessed to have shared it with him. A heartfelt thank you to all of our friends and family for their overwhelming support.

Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, September 29th at St. Juliana’s Catholic Church, West Palm Beach, Florida. Burial will follow at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cemetery, West Palm Beach, Florida.

In place of flowers, the family requests donations be made to New Hope Charities for their charitable support of the Glades and beyond. https://www.newhopecharities.org/