Mingo (Domingo) Irizarry, 88, of Miami, died 2/18 in Florida

Beloved father who leaves his wife Laura Sepulveda, Children his son Randolph Irizarry (Randy), his daughter Doris and grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

I remember my uncle Mango always being upbeat whenever my family would visit him at his home at Eastchester avenue in the Bronx. I remember his hospitality when he would invite all of us into his home. It was the place for our family to meet other relatives and friends for many years. I remember one-year that my grandfather and grandmother were their visiting for the summer. My uncle brought me down to see what grandpa was doing. (grandpa was a builder of homes and he built a bench for my uncle.)

When we grew up we kept in touch with him and his family when they moved to Westchester Avenue in the Bronx. I remember visiting him in the two-story house he owned there as well as visiting other relatives on the block.

As I raised my family I found out about my uncle moving to Miami, Florida.

When I attended the funeral in the Bronx I hadn't been there in ten years I was amazed at all the changes at the funeral home.

I met with my uncle's adult children and I was amazed when I met Doris (my uncle's daughter for the first time in 25 plus years. She look like her mother. Not seeing them since childhood we had a little bit to catch up. I also met Randy, my uncles son. We haven't met since childhood and we tried to catch up with our experiences.

I met with my aunt Laura for the first time in years. I did not recognize her at all but she recognized me. I missed my family very much for years and I know it is very hard to make up for lost time. We tried by sharing everything we could for many hours during the service.

Our tradition is to have a Catholic service which was done in Spanish. It has been a very long time since I heard the prayer for the dead since my own parents passed away. I understood most of it but it was hard to deal with the death of another beloved parent. I know that sooner or later I will meet all my loved ones in heaven.

I could see that my uncle was suffering for many years and now he is not suffering anymore, because he is with our father in heaven rejoicing. I know that my uncle will have a new body in heaven. God bless the family forever and ever Amen.

I know that everyone who is left behind will have memories that will never be forgotten.

If you want to share them with others please do.

If anyone has more details to add to this page please feel free to send them to me.

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