Leandro Antonio Cifuentes

Leandro Antonio Cifuentes, called affectionately as Leo by his mother, passed away on September 11, 2024, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 74. Born on May 6, 1950, in Havana, Cuba, Leandro embodied the essence of a learned individual with a professor-like demeanor.
Leandro was also very opinionated and prone not to follow good advice, a character trait that at times did not serve him well.

His early education was spent at the Colegio Maristas in Havana. In 1962, at the age of 11, he and his sister left Cuba for the United States under the sponsorship of the Peter Pan program.
He came to Colfax, WA where he attended The Academy Elementary School. In 1969 Leandro graduated from Colfax High School. He went on to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois graduating with a B.S. in 1973 and M.A. in 1975.
Leandro taught Spanish at Mt. Hood Community College for many years. He went on to work for the State of Oregon Employment Department and retired after 24 years of service at the end of February of 2024.
He was a member of the Portland Royal Rosarians and enjoyed cultivating many beautiful roses.

He is survived by his sister, Aurora J. Smith; niece, Kaylie A. Smith; and brother-in-law, Gerald (Jerry) Smith. Leandro was preceded in death by his parents, Manuel Antonio Cifuentes and Aurora Marie Adán Cifuentes.

Thank you to Maria and George Avram for the five months of wonderful and kind care they provided for Leandro and to Ronaldo Juarez for all the help he gave to Leandro. Thank you for everyone's prayers and support.

Leandro is buried at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lake Oswego, Oregon