RICARDO MALDONADO BELLO

MALDONADO BELLO,RICARDO, passed away on Saturday, December 1, 2012. A doctor by training, but an avid opera lover and singer (tenor), died a few weeks shy of his 97th birthday. He always wanted to follow his father's footsteps and become a medical doctor. After obtaining his medical degree in Venezuela, he took his new bride Margot Sanchez and went to complete his residency in psychiatry at John Hopkins, Baltimore. It was at this time, and with the full support of Margot, that he found and pursued his true calling-Opera. He moved to New York to study opera at Carnegie Hall where he performed various titled roles. This love for the "Bel Canto" continued throughout his life and his studies took him to Italy (Milan/Rome) where he subsequently became involved with the Venezuelan Diplomatic Corps. He then lived in London and Cannes. In the last four years of his life he lived in Miami with his daughter Isabella Kerdel Maldonado and her family. His life in Miami was full of joy and he would always love to show his little house "Villa Ricardo" to all his guests. He is predeceased by his wife Margot Sanchez, the true love of his life. He is survived by his daughter Isabella, her husband Pancho, his son Ricardo and his wife Muriel, his grandchildren Christina, her husband Frankie, Franz Eduard, Diego and his wife Dipali, his great-grandson Luca and his very dear nephew Alvaro Maldonado.We will miss him dearly and will celebrate his love of life and family every day! Services will be held at St. Hugh's Catholic Church, 3460 Royal Rd., Coconut Grove, today Monday at 3:30pm