Miguel Iglesias Zelada

With heavy hearts, we share the passing of our beloved father, Miguel Iglesias Zelada, on August 4, 2025. His departure leaves a void that can never be filled, and a legacy of love, laughter, and wisdom that will live on in all who knew him. Throughout his journey, he touched the lives of countless people with his kindness, wisdom, love of life and joking ways.

A life well lived, Miguel was born in Iquitos, Peru, on July 17, 1931, Miguel was the youngest of six children and the only son of Julio and Maria Iglesias. His childhood as a charapa was split between city life in Iquitos and weekends spent at the family ranch, La Villa Tachi, where he developed a lifelong love for nature and the outdoors. It was there that he learned the traditions of the Amazonian jungle-farming, fishing, hunting, canoeing and survival-from his father and the indigenous ranch hands who became his earliest mentors. In his teen and adult years, he continued his love of the outdoors, exploring and traversing the Amazon and Nanai Rivers of his beloved Amazon jungle.

Upon his graduation, Miguel joined the Fuerza Aérea del Peru, where he attended the Escuela De Oficiales de La Fuerza Aérea Del Peru where he rose through the ranks as an officer, captain, major and finally colonel. He was a skilled pilot, a dedicated officer, and a natural leader-often chosen to serve as master of ceremonies at official military events. While in the military, he continued his education in psychology at the Universidad Nacional De La Amazonia Peruana and worked closely with remote indigenous populations in the Amazon rainforest delivering supplies and medical aid. He also traveled internationally to procure aircraft for the Peruvian military.

After retiring from military service, Miguel transitioned into business, exporting exotic hardwoods before eventually emigrating to the United States in 1977. Amid political upheaval in Peru, he made the courageous decision to bring his family to Vero Beach, Florida, in pursuit of a better future. It was a profound sacrifice that opened the door to new opportunities for his children.

In the U.S., Miguel built a successful career importing tropical fish and plants, and later expanded into electronics and digital technology. With his entrepreneurial drive, curiosity, and forward-thinking vision, he continued to reinvent himself and embrace every new chapter with enthusiasm.

Miguel's personal life was just as rich. He was previously married to Marcella, and later to Yolanda. On November 1, 1996, he married Ofelia Iglesias, his loving wife, partner, and confidante. Together, they built a life in Miami filled with travel, community involvement, and shared dreams.

Miguel was a man of many passions. He was an elegant gentleman, known for his sharp and immaculate style and signature colognes-even at bedtime. A voracious reader and lifelong learner with an insatiable curiosity and sharp analytical mind, he eagerly absorbed books and engaged in thoughtful discussions on politics, poetry, economics, and history-especially of Peru and his beloved adopted home, the United States. He was a proud American who deeply valued democracy, opportunity, and civic engagement.

Miguel also had a vibrant love for food – delighting in dishes like ceviche, paiche frito, inchicapi, feijoada, and a perfectly cooked steak. He loved making fresh fruit juguitos for his children and always had a piece of chocolate ready for his grandchildren. He had an eclectic taste in music, enjoying everything from bossa nova and jazz to rock and roll and classic "criollo" Peruvian ballads. He had a big green thumb and deep reverence for nature, he planted trees at every home he lived in, leaving behind beauty and shade for future generations.

Above all, Miguel cherished his family. He was a devoted father, stepfather, grandfather, and husband whose greatest joy came from time spent with those he loved. His warmth, generosity, and infectious spirit made everyone feel like family. Miguel never met a stranger-just friends he hadn't known yet. His life was full, his impact immeasurable, and his memory everlasting.

Miguel is survived by his wife of 30 years Ofelia, of Pembroke Pines, his children Monica Swanson (Phillip), Miguel Angel Iglesias, Rosemarie Bakka (Erik), Zoila Luna (Gonzalo), Maria del Rosario de Chavarria (Enrique) and Maria Graciela del Pilar Iglesias; his stepchildren Dalliana Carrion (John), Diana Carrion (Rafael) and David Carrion; his grandchildren Jada Zoe, Kristina Marie, Samantha Rose, Nickolas Thomas, Michael William, Rebekah Abigail, Sophia Madeline, Jonathan Michael, Olenka, Armando, Daniela, Silvana, Victor Aurelio, Ernesto Daniel, Ada de Pilar, Miguel Alonso, Jocelyn Janice, Cathelyne Ariana, Nicolle and Jimena Alexandra; great grandchildren Aria, Bryce, Vera, Cassian and Alden and lots of cousins, nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Julio and Maria, his sisters Flor, Estefania, Hortencia, Alicia, and Angelita.