Obituary of Sotero Fuentevilla

Sotero Vicente Fuentevilla (Papi) passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 17, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Güines, Havana, Cuba on April 22, 1929. He was preceded in death by his son Sotero Manuel, and now joins him in heaven. Papi was a loving, devoted, and gentle husband to Arminda Ruiz Fuentevilla. He was a doting father to his children Elena (Frank), Ana, Soterito (Naomi), Marta (Chris), and Miguel (Sonya). He was honorable and steadfast in his unconditional love and support of his children, 14 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren. He loved to be surrounded by his family. When he retired as an accounting professor from Pima Community College, he loved to go to his beach home in Rocky Point, Mexico. He also enjoyed traveling, cooking lechón for family events, and attending Wildcat hoops games. He loved his Arizona Wildcats! Papi was a brave man. In 1961, after two years under the communist regime, he realized he had to leave Cuba. He escaped with his pregnant wife and two small daughters. Without a cent to his name, he was able to make a life for his family in the United States, becoming a proud American citizen in 1970 while always maintaining his Cuban heritage. Although college educated, he started working by pumping gas and washing dishes, in addition to working many other jobs to support a family in exile. He came to Tucson in 1970 to teach at the newly established Pima Community College as one of its first accounting instructors. He was a popular professor, even managing to make accounting a pleasurable class. Papi had a wonderful sense of humor. He was calm and funny in his quiet way. He loved telling jokes and amusing stories in both English and Spanish. Papi retired after 30 years teaching, and spent his time between Tucson and Rocky Point with his wife. Papi will be greatly missed. “Papi, te extrañaremos mucho.”