Obituary for Rafael H. Winchery
Rafael Humberto Winchery, 89, of Barranquilla, Colombia passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on Easter Sunday April 12, 2020 at Vitas Hospice in Winter Garden, Florida with his loving family by his side.
Rafael was an only child, he was a talented soccer player (Barcelona fan) who for a short while played for the national Junior league, he loved to dance and no one could do a better “Cumbia” dance than him and he enjoyed life to the fullest always smiling.
Rafael came to the U.S. in his mid twenties to pursue a better life. He arrived in Hackensack, New Jersey and lived with his Uncle “Tio Pacheco” who became a father figure to him. There in N.J. he met his dear friend Eduard Velez and they became life long friends. They journeyed together to L.A. California seeking better job opportunities and there they met their wives, sisters Mariela Oquendo and Blanca Oquendo. Rafael and Mariela were married in September of 1964 until 1973 and had two daughters. He worked as a foreman for Southern C.A. Carton Company until he retired in 1991.
During this time Rafael found God and became a faithful servant of his Lord, Jesus Christ. He later remarried and spent the next 22 years with Nicky Winchery. His greatest passion was to serve the Lord and the church. He donated his time to those in need and volunteered because he loved serving others. His wisdom, his words of encouragement and his prayers always were passionate and full of love. In 2002 his daughters brought him to live in Florida so he could be with his family and spend the next 18 years with them.
He is survived by his two Daughters’: Margaret Lavin who lives in Long Island, New York with her husband Eamon Lavin. Alicia Ribarich who lives in Orlando Florida with her husband Scott Ribarich and their two children Isabelle and Andrew.
The family will hold a private graveside service at Winter Garden Cemetery where Rafael will be laid to rest on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
Rafael’s funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations
1132 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787
Rafael was an only child, he was a talented soccer player (Barcelona fan) who for a short while played for the national Junior league, he loved to dance and no one could do a better “Cumbia” dance than him and he enjoyed life to the fullest always smiling.
Rafael came to the U.S. in his mid twenties to pursue a better life. He arrived in Hackensack, New Jersey and lived with his Uncle “Tio Pacheco” who became a father figure to him. There in N.J. he met his dear friend Eduard Velez and they became life long friends. They journeyed together to L.A. California seeking better job opportunities and there they met their wives, sisters Mariela Oquendo and Blanca Oquendo. Rafael and Mariela were married in September of 1964 until 1973 and had two daughters. He worked as a foreman for Southern C.A. Carton Company until he retired in 1991.
During this time Rafael found God and became a faithful servant of his Lord, Jesus Christ. He later remarried and spent the next 22 years with Nicky Winchery. His greatest passion was to serve the Lord and the church. He donated his time to those in need and volunteered because he loved serving others. His wisdom, his words of encouragement and his prayers always were passionate and full of love. In 2002 his daughters brought him to live in Florida so he could be with his family and spend the next 18 years with them.
He is survived by his two Daughters’: Margaret Lavin who lives in Long Island, New York with her husband Eamon Lavin. Alicia Ribarich who lives in Orlando Florida with her husband Scott Ribarich and their two children Isabelle and Andrew.
The family will hold a private graveside service at Winter Garden Cemetery where Rafael will be laid to rest on Wednesday, April 15, 2020.
Rafael’s funeral arrangements are in the caring guidance of Winter Oak Funeral Home and Cremations
1132 E. Plant St. Winter Garden, FL 34787