Erelio Peña

1937 - 2022

Erelio Peña
April 23, 1937 - May 25, 2022
Miami, Florida - Erelio Peña passed away on May 25, 2022. He was born in Jovellanos, Matanzas, Cuba on April 23, 1937 to Consuelo Fernandez and Ignacio Peña. As a young man, he began his lifelong fight against communism by organizing and leading anti-Castro militants in the Cuban countryside. His activities ultimately forced him to seek asylum in the Brazilian embassy in Havana, where he remained for two years until he was granted permission to leave his country, never to return.
Erelio arrived in Miami in 1961 to join his Wife Isabel ("Nena") and his daughter Odalis. His second daughter, Nadina, was born several years thereafter. Erelio was proud and grateful to work and raise his family in the United States. He was a pioneer in the Miami-Dade construction industry and was a founder and president of the Latin Builders Association for 4 consecutive years.
Erelio was a founding member and lifelong director of the Cuban American National Foundation, where he made many friends who shared his dream of a free and democratic Cuba.
Erelio is survived by his Wife, Maria Medel, his daughters, Odalis Peña and Nadina Galvan (Carlos), his grandchildren, Daniel Puente (Kristina), Kevin Puente (Morgan), Christine Haralson (Will) and Brian Galvan (Megan), and his great granddaughter Twyla Puente. He also leaves his beloved sister, Olga Ramos, his brother, Ignacio Peña, nieces and nephews and scores of friends.
Erelio will be remembered by all who knew him for the strength of his character and the generosity of his spirit.
A memorial mass will be held on Friday, June 17th, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. at
St. Raymond Catholic Church, 3475 SW 17th Street, Miami, Florida.