Jorge S. Lamadriz Villaverde

VILLAVERDE JORGE S. LAMADRIZ, was born in Havana on October 17, 1934. He studied at the Colegio de Belen. He studied " Procuraduria Publica " at the University of Havana and practiced at the Barroso, Valdes-Fauli & Sanabria law firm as well as at the Gaston Godoy law firm in Havana. ÓÓAs a young man, after the triumph of Castro's revolution, he rose to the occasion, as an early leader of the opposition within the ranks of the Christian Democratic movement. His actions landed him in prison. He was sentenced to death before the firing squad by a military tribunal at La Cabana prison in 1960 and his sentence was later commuted to 30 years through an appeal from the Vatican delegate in Havana. Imprisoned for 18 years, in protest for the inhumane conditions that prevailed, he participated in several hunger strikes, claiming better conditions for his fellow prisoners. He was able to escape prison but was captured as he swam across Guantanamo Bay in an effort to reach political asylum at the U.S. Naval Base in Guantanamo. His deep sense of human solidarity was always his best attribute in and out of prison. He won the respect and admiration of his peers for being always in the front lines when it came to the defense of others. ÓÓIn exile, his life was a constant struggle to find ways to bring freedom to his homeland, Cuba. His name appeared in Cuban government lists given to foreign governments, branding him as an enemy of the revolution. He was involved with human rights activists and traveled to Geneva on several occasions during the sessions of the Human Rights Commission, helping to disseminate denunciations of abuses in Cuba to diplomatic missions and non-governmental organizations. He also cooperated with several exile organizations donating the funds for victims to be able to travel and offer their personal testimony. He was always present in countless efforts to bring freedom to his beloved Cuba. ÓÓHis many difficult years as a political prisoner in Cuba and his determined involvement in the struggle towards Cuba's freedom did not, in any way, diminish his spirit of generosity, kindness and compassion, which he offered at all times to his dear family and friends. All of us who knew him for his kind and noble heart and experienced his genuine love and support for us in our lives will treasure his memory close in our hearts.ÓÓHe was preceded in death by his father, Francisco Villaverde; his younger brother Rafael Villaverde and his mother, Cira Lamadriz de Villaverde, who passed away exactly two months ago. He is survived by his wife, Regina Villaverde; his son, Jorge Villaverde; his grandchildren, Jorgito and Michael; his brothers, Father Francisco Villaverde, O.P. and Raul Villaverde; his sister, Cira Fernandez; his aunt and uncle; his many nephews and nieces and their children, as well as his faithful friends and fellow fighters for Cuba's freedom. ÓÓA Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, June 15th, 2002 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church, located at 5909 NW 7th Street, Miami, FL. ÓÓIn lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the " Casa del Preso " (a shelter for former Cuban political prisoners who are sick and without a family), located at 1140 S.W. 13th Avenue, Miami, FL. 33135, (305) 858-3789. ÓÓArrangements by: CABALLERO RIVERO WOODLAWN FUNERAL HOME - WESTCHESTER CHAPEL To v isit this Guest Book Online, go to www.miami.com/obituaries.