Humberto Farinas

Family-Placed Obituary

HUMBERTO FARINAS Humberto Farinas, 87, of Atlantis, Wellington and Boynton Beach, died peacefully on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 after several months of medical complications. He was a caring and loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and to all a true friend. Preceded in death by Elsa, his high school sweetheart and spouse for over 60 years and his daughter, Elsita. Humberto is survived by his loving wife and also longtime family friend, Sonia Alvarez; a sister, Laudelina Clasca of Miami; his proud and beloved only son, Humberto Farinas (Sonia); granddaughter, Alina Hoge (Brian) of Wellington; grandson, Michael Farinas of Orlando; triplet great-grandsons, Michael, Carter and John Hoge of Wellington; as well as his loving extended family of granddaughter, Jennifer Zapata (Judiel); grandson, Rodney Huston; great-grandchildren, Adriana and Daniel Zapata all of Wellington and a very special nephew, Paco Farinas of Breaker's West, with whom he shared a father-son relationship with their passion for the sugar industry. Humberto attended a private Presbyterian School, "La Progressiva" in Cuba and obtained his Mechanical Engineering degree in New York by attending Columbia University and graduating from Pratt Engineering Institute in Brooklyn. He returned to Cuba and his beloved, Elsa and successfully engaged in his life-long career in the Sugar Industry. Humberto came back to the United States in 1962, migrating to Louisiana and subsequently settling in Palm Beach County. He was engaged, for the bulk of his involvement, by the Fanjul family sugar interests, with whom be began in Cuba in the mid-fifties. Humberto was proud of his unselfish success in helping colleagues to secure jobs while helping the Sugar Industry retain specialized talent. His was a path of giving and helping. Humberto was a proud Honorary member of the American Society of Sugar Technologist with the distinct honor of being one of only six members to be named jointly for Louisiana and Florida. He ended his exemplary active career by finally retiring at 81 years of age, although he remained involved in it until his final days. He will continue to be a legendary talent in the tightly knit and specialized Sugar Industry. Humberto's memory will forever live in the hundreds of lives which he lovingly touched, as God's faithful servant. The family will receive friends on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 5:00 PM until 10:00 PM at Quattlebaum Funeral Home, 1201 South Olive Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 and again on Friday from 10:00 AM until 2:00 PM. A Graveside Service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, March 19, 2010 at Woodlawn Cemetery, West Palm Beach, FL with Mr. Roberto Sanchez and Mr. Amparicio Amparicio, officiating. Quattlebaum Funeral Home Family Owned and Operated (561) 832-5171 To express condolences and/or make donations Visit PalmBeachPost.com/obituaries