Ignacio Augusto Cabrera

1943 - 2023

CABRERA

IGNACIO AUGUSTO CABRERA

"Those were the days, my friend, we thought they'd never end…" And, so they did. Ignacio died on July 12, 2023 of health complications. He was born in Havana, Cuba, September 1, 1943 and a proud citizen of the United States from even before he was a naturalized US citizen in 1977. Coming from Havana in 1960 he lived with his parents, Ignacio Ramon Cabrera and Matilde Herminia Olive, now deceased, and his sister Luisa in Queens, New York. Ignacio's school years in Havana were at the Edison Institute and later finished high school in Queens before continuing on to graduate from New York University in 1968.

Ignacio's career initially began in the computer industry before moving on to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) where he spent the remainder of his professional career for over 30 years until he retired in 2014 as Executive Vice President for Sales. He enjoyed a colorful, successful career with the NAHB, being responsible for and eventually building the largest building industry trade show in the U.S.

Ignacio was a long-time resident of Washington, DC, having moved here in 1968 and shortly after met his partner and husband of 51 years, Bill Sawyer. He filled their lives with only the very best, from food to travel to living, over their 42 years in Georgetown. Ignacio thoroughly enjoyed people and entertaining, so much so that his Georgetown townhouse was a hubbub of family and friends coming and going. His sister, Luisa Cabrera Mendoza, her husband Julio G. Mendoza, and their two daughters Cecilia and Gabriela, were often visiting from Florida.

Recently, he lamented the change in the dynamics of friendships because of the political climate. He often had dinner parties of ten or so and the conversations ranged from antagonistic to harmonious yet when the party was over everyone left as friends and continued to see each other regularly and frequently at Ignacio and Bill's townhouse.

Traveling was one of the greatest pleasures of Ignacio's life. He once crossed the Andes by lake barges and was one of the very early visitors of Easter Island. When China "opened" he was among the first to take in the exotic and regimented atmosphere. Of course, Europe was always a keen destination, with Paris being one of his favorites. He loved the hotel at 15 Place Vendome in Paris and often luxuriated in its wonderful pool and superb dining. There is no denying that Ignacio was a hedonist, and he knew it. However, Ignacio's favorite charity was St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Ignacio will be remembered at a Memorial Mass at St. Ann's Catholic Church, 4001 Yuma Street NW in Tenleytown, on Tuesday July 18, 2023 at 10 a.m. Memory gifts may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105. Ignacio and his family will greatly appreciate such special thoughtfulness gifted on his behalf. Thank you everyone for making Ignacio's life so full of zest and meaning.