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Michael Diaz-Piedra III
Michael Diaz-Piedra III
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Michael Diaz-Piedra Obituary
He called his basement the war room and filled it with an array of military uniforms from around the world. He kept about 30 on mannequins; there were another 100 on racks, but they didn't just sit there. Michael A. Diaz-Piedra III loved to wear them, whether at an elaborate Halloween masquerade party or birthday parties for his son Michael, now 6.
"The uniforms called attention to him, and he liked that," said his wife, Kelly. The plumes and swords also gave Mr. Diaz- Piedra an opening to talk about the historic periods that so fascinated him.
In fact, he was crazy about all kinds of vintage things, Mrs. Diaz-Piedra said, including old cars. This gave him a kind of Old World romanticism that fit his background as son of a wealthy Cuban plantation owner exiled after the Castro revolution. "Once for my birthday, Mike rented a vintage Jaguar and picked me up at work," Mrs. Diaz-Piedra said. "He hired some violinists to play while we had dinner. Then he asked me to marry him."
Although he came to the United States from Cuba when he was 8, Mr. Diaz-Piedra maintained strong ties with the food and culture of his homeland. "Mike was not a ravenous, anti-Castro Cuban," said his brother, George, but he said he had prepared a claim to recover the family's property in Cuba when Castro's regime ended.
Mr. Diaz-Piedra, 49, was a vice president with the Bank of New York in charge of disaster recovery planning. But he was happiest when the planning he did was for a mock battle of the soldiers in his collection. "Some people may have thought of Mike as eccentric," Mrs. Diaz-Piedra said. "But he was just a big kid at heart."
33 Entries
John Giampiccolo
September 11, 2024
Checking in to see if you are enjoying a nice Cuban! You always have my thoughts and prayers.
Kelly Weighttman Diaz-Piedra
September 8, 2021
Dearest Michael,
20 years of missing you.
"True Love Stories Never Have Endings"
John Giampiccolo
September 8, 2021
Hi Mike. can't believe we are at 20 years since you went to heaven. Think of you often and what a great person you are. Working with you was a pleasure!
Cindy Roe
September 7, 2021
Remembering Michael on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
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Kelly Weightman Diaz-Piedra
September 4, 2020
Michael,
When Your Beautiful
Heart Stopped Beating
My Heart Just
Broke In Two,
Knowing That
Here on Earth
There Will Never
Be Another Like You.
September 11, 2016
Mike still think of you often and always will.
John Giampiccolo
September 11, 2014
Remembered
joyce stypulkowski
September 23, 2013
GOD WILL HOLD YOU CLOSE. you are in the best hands ever.
September 6, 2012
Thinking of you and all of your family at this very poignant time...
Maureen Tuohy-bedford
September 9, 2011
Remembering Michael and his family...George, my thoughts are always with you...Maureen Tuohy-Bedford/Cape Cod.
Stephen Hensley
September 18, 2010
The time you won your town the race
We chaired you through the market-place;
Man and boy stood cheering by,
And home we brought you shoulder-high...
Smart lad, to slip betimes away
From fields where glory does not stay
And early though the laurel grows
It withers quicker than the rose...
Now you will not swell the rout
Of lads that wore their honours out,
Runners whom renown outran
And the name died before the man...
And round that early-laurelled head
Will flock to gaze the strengthless dead,
And find unwithered on its curls
The garland briefer than a girl's.
Michael and Ray at Gettysburg in their Countess Mountbatten's Own uniforms. It was a very, very good day.
Stephen Hensley
September 18, 2010
Maureen Tuohy-Bedford
September 11, 2010
I say a prayer to you every day, but THIS day is always special...Sept 11...We who knew you have been blessed...and we all miss you...and we all take away a piece of you, Michael...and remember you.
Doug Abraham
May 22, 2009
On this Memorial Day Weekend of 2009, I am remembering Mike Diaz III!!!
Maritza Diaz
September 13, 2008
Migue, I knew you since you were four years old. You were always extremely sweet and caring. All the times that we spent together were always a treat. You are always in my thoughts and prayers. One day, we will see each other again in heaven. I always pray for your mother, siblings, and children. You're always in our hearts.
Love, Tia Maritza
Iris A, Palermo
September 11, 2008
I want to express my condolences. I worked at BCBS of Greater NY with Michael and retired in 1992. I was not aware of his death until this September when I saw his picture on TV. He was a wonderful guy and I'm really sorry for your loss.
Diana Diaz
September 11, 2008
I'm Mike's Cousin, Diana. I never heard about this website until I googled it this morning. All the joy you brought to the family will never be forgotten. You will always be in our hearts, forever! The hole left behind from your death can never be filled but we know that your spirit is always with us. Love, Cousin Diana
Cristian Michael Diaz-Piedra
December 30, 2007
Hey Dad! I just want you to know your son and daughter miss you like crazy. There are so many things I wanted to talk to you about. It would've been a dream come true just to have a beer with you or something like that. Well, hopefully you have the internet up there in heaven. I know your in good hands and happy. I'll check in again with you later. oh yeah, Im getting married I really wish you could be there with me but I understand. I love you always Dad Your son Cristian.
Adrienne
April 22, 2007
We will never forget...
Kristine
November 2, 2006
As I stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
September 24, 2006
In remembrance....
George Diaz-Piedra
September 19, 2006
I can not believe it has taken me 5 years to find this website. My name is George and I am Michael's brother. I would love to hear from the posters that knew my brother Mike. His passing has left a big hole in my life and I always find it uplifting when I hear from someone that knew Mike well and loved him as much as I did.
John Giampiccolo
September 10, 2006
Mike I'm sorry it's been five years that I haven't written. I just can't believe it.
I miss the times we had at Alliance. Good thing no one knew we smoked those Cubans!
You are in my prayers.
elizabeth mctigue
September 3, 2006
michael,
We worked together at BNY on disaster recovery, You were always a gentlemen and I wish your family well on the eve of the 5th anniversary
Gregory Antonetti
September 10, 2005
Michael: Four years have gone by since that devastating day known as 9/11. On that day I was driving down Boulevard East, almost passing your old house in North Bergen when the first reports came across the radio. I arrived at work and watched helpless, from across the Hudson River. Days later I learned that you were there. I still have (and always will) the wonderful memories of spending time with you. I’ll always remember listening to you and learning about your latest hobby, whether it was square dancing, fencing or playing the bag pipes (doesn’t every good Cuban-American wear a kilt?!) or watching you try to impress all of us by ordering a meal for the entire table, without speaking a word English. I’m still not sure the waiters fully understood you, but hey, I was impressed! I only wish we had spent more time together. If the value of a person’s life is measured by the way that they have touched others, I dare say that your life will always be priceless.
Maureen Tuohy-Bedford
January 10, 2004
Dear Nanita, Anna, George, Monique, Christian, Kelly and Boys....I knew Michael a number of years back from my days at the North Bergen house and then Washington Township. So much has changed, but the impact Michael (Migue) left on so many people is tremendous. Nanita raised a wonderful and kind son who passed on so much, to so many. He is greatly missed and will be greatly remembered....Maureen from Cape Cod.
Judy Latham Fernandez (daughter of Segundo and Fabiola Fernandez)
June 22, 2003
Dear Michael,
I just want to say that it is 2003 and no one has forgotten this tragedy. It is as fresh as it was on Sept. 11th. I went to your funeral and was touched by all of your family and friends. Kelly will do a wonderful job of raising your beautiful children. I know you are watching over them and over your mom, Nenita. God bless you.
The Fernandez Family and the Garces Family
Angie Campbell
April 24, 2002
May God bless you and may you rest in peace.
john apice
January 21, 2002
Well, another piece of my childhood just got chipped away, buddy. I want to thank you for the chess games, Monopoly games, backyard picnics, boxing matches, Budweisers we "confiscated," from my dad's refrigerator, listening to records, and debating the old Elvis vs Beatles question in the basement where we lived: Monroe Place, West New York, NJ. We grew up there together.Your mom, dad, sister Anna Maria and brother George. You were upstairs and I was downstairs. We attended opposing high schools,but we didn't care. I knew on September 11th as I stood less than a 1/2 mile away, I was losing someone. I just didn't think it would hit so close to home. We hadn't seen each other in many years. Thanks for being my friend Mike -- the pleasure was all mine. I will remember you, and I will smile.
Anonymous
January 11, 2002
DEAR LORD BLESS MICHAEL DIAZ-PIEDRA
111...MAY HE REST IN PEACE WITH GOD
AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..AMEN...
Teresa Jahn
January 5, 2002
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
leslie miller
October 30, 2001
Please find comfort in happy memories. Our hearts go out to you. We will never forget.
janina cortes
October 9, 2001
dear mike,
i haven't seen you in 10 years. my mom, jessica, told me what happened. i'm so sorry. i'm so very sorry. the last time i saw you was when you visited my at the hospital. that was when my first son, christopherson, was born. mike, he turns 10 tomorrow. thank you for your visit and for your support. i was only 18 and really had no family around. but you came by because thats just the kind of guy you are. well you're with your angel now and she's taking care of you. thank you again, mike, for being there in my time of need.
sincerely,
janina cortes
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