Juan Ricardo Villacis

Juan Ricardo Villacis Tulcan passed away at the age of 101 on March 11, 2026.

He was born in Ibarra, Ecuador in 1925 and emigrated to the United States in 1961 with his son, Alejandro Fernando Villacis. His wife of 72 years, Maria Clemencia de Villacis Travez Bustillos, traveled the following year with their daughter, Dolores Paulina Villacis.

Juanito, as he was fondly known by everyone, lost his mother at an early age and had a challenging childhood. So, when his sister, Lola Sandoval, who had legally emigrated to the United States, suggested she could help him do the same, he jumped at the offer. He and Clemencia viewed it as an opportunity to provide a better future for their family. Little did they realize that they were laying the foundation for other family members to pursue the same opportunity. They opened the door for generations to come. Juanito and Clemencita instilled a strong work ethic in everyone they mentored as well as their children.

Juanito also knew how to have fun. He loved to dance and he was very skilled. He could dance to any music especially his favorite, Michael Jackson, he was a big fan. He also enjoyed the traditional folkloric Ecuadorean music that was played at family gatherings, and there were a lot of those.

Juanito was a huge Redskins fan. Many games were "narrated" in Spanish by Juanito.

Juanito was preceded in death by his wife, Clemencita in November 2025, and his son, Alejandro in April 2024.

He is survived by his daughter, Dolores Paulina Ahrens, her husband, Gerd(Chip) Ahrens, grandson Adam Ahrens, his wife Jessica Ahrens and their daughter Emily, granddaughter Gabriella Franklyn, her husband Anthony Franklyn and their daughters Holly and Lilah, his daughter in law, Avelina Villacis, granddaughter, Melissa Villacis and her husband Ian Wallace, granddaughter Erica Pigg(Villacis) and her husband Justin Pigg. Along with his sisters, Lola Sandoval and Gloria Villacis.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10:00 A.M., at St. James Catholic Church, 49 Crosswinds Drive, Charles Town, WV, with Father Manny as Celebrant.

Interment will follow on March 23, 2026, at 12:00 P.M., Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, MD 20906.

The family will receive friends one hour prior to mass, with a rosary at the church.