Eduardo Suarez Rivas' Obituary
EDDIE S. RIVAS is a retired Miami Dade County Assistant Principal, who holds a bachelor's degree in United States History, Government and Education and a Master's degree in Politics and Public Affairs from the University of Miami. He also holds an Educational Specialist Degree from Nova University. Mr. Rivas is Vice-President of the National Association of Cuban American Educators and was elected President of the Hispanic Heritage Festival Committee in 2006. During the 30 years he was a member of the Festival Committee he was a judge in the annual beauty pageant, chairman of the Student Essay Committee competition, treasurer and a member of the planning committees. During the two years Rivas worked for the Miami Police he was appointed by Miami police Chief Bernard Garmire coordinator of the Buen Vecino Project of survival Spanish classes for the police officers and the civilian employees. Later, Miami Chief Garland Watkins appointed him coordinator of the Tricultural Program, a project of recruitment and training for police and minorities. Rivas was also sent to a Washington, D.C. conference where he commented on the successful training and recruitment techniques used by the Miami Police. Rivas also developed and produced the first Miami Police promotional brochure in full color showing some the different phases of training for the officers and job requirements for future officer applicants. Rivas received in 2004 the Cervantes Award from Nova University for his contributions to the education of Hispanics and the promotion of the Hispanic culture. Since 1977 he produced four television programs a week for WLRN and Cable TV during 25 years including the PTA Report and topics on crime, education, cultural activities, the FBI, and special events in South Florida and the Hispanic community. Rivas was made honorary Fire Chief of the Miami Fire Department by Chief Don Hickman and Herman Brice for organizing successful recruitment and training projects and for developing successful Survival Spanish classes for the firemen. These courses were later offered successfully during ten months to the firemen in Miami Beach, the lifeguards, city employees and the Miami Beach Police with the approval of the mayor. While working during four years in the publicity department of Dade County Public Schools Rivas helped to organize the advertising for the summer school sessions by informing the community through promotional techniques and articles on the importance of giving the students the opportunity to to increase their skills. He also wrote numerous articles in the Spanish media interviewing the Teacher of the Year, the Principal of the Year, special school events, the Silver Knight winners and on achievements in the schools such as the enormous contributions that the faculty and teachers made every year to United Way. Rivas is currently a professor of Social Studies and Education in Miami Dade College. While in the InterAmerican Campus of Miami Dade College he was the President and founder of the Bilingual Poetry Club which met on the last Friday evening of every month. Before coming to the United States, Prof. Rivas was a three year law student in the Villanova Law School in Havana, Cuba. He was accused by the Castro regime of being an enemy of the state, and condemned to spend 20 years in the infamous Isle of Pines Prison. He was released after three years due to President John F. Kennedy's negotiations with the communist regime which resulted in the liberation of approximately 1000 prisoners. Shortly after his arrival in Miami, Rivas wrote three articles describing in detail the harsh environment, the suffering and the many tribulations of the 6000 prisoners in the Isle of Pines. The article was picked up by the United Press International (UPI) and distributed worldwide in Spanish, English, French and other languages . In his comments on prison life, he also denounced publicly the boxes of dynamite placed inside the foundations of the prison walls by Castro's soldiers with specific orders to blow up the buildings killing all of the prisoners if any attempt was made to rescue them. The Rivas comments were also published in the Saturday Evening Post and in the front page of the Miami Herald. During his long years in Miami Rivas has received commendations from Mayor Steve Clark, School Board President Phyllis Miller, Miami Police Chief Bernard Garmire, Miami Beach Police Chief Larry Cotzin, Miami Mayor Maurice Ferre, Miami Commisioner Rose Gordon, School Board member Betsy Kaplan, Dr. Jose Vicente, former president of the InterAmerican Campus, and the Dade County Council PTA for services rendered, including an honorary life membership in PTA. In addition, he was the keynote speaker invited by Major General Cornelius Nugteren USAF, Commander of the Robins Air Force Base in Georgia, to address the officers and families during a banquet at the Officers's Club where he spoke at length on the subject of the Hispanic presence, culture and contributions to the American nation.. His comments on the Hispanic culture were also presented at a special event in Florida International University during the celebration ofthe Hispanic Heritage Month. While the last Republican Convention was held at Miami Beach years ago, Dr. Carlos Prio Socarras, the last constitutional president of Cuba, spoke eloquently on key issues related to the Cuban crisis and the threatof communism to the American democratic system. His words in Spanish were broadcast to a huge Hispanic crowd gathered there for the occasion. Prior to his speech, at a meeting in Alton Road, he had appointed professor Rivas to be allowed the honor of translating his remarks in English to all the media assembled around the President as he finished his speech. While in Havana, Rivas practiced sports for many years. He was the junior and senior national champion in 50 meters, 100 meters and 200 meters freestyle and was chosen one year by representatives of the national media the most outstanding swimmer in the nation. He also represented Cuba in meets against the United States and Mexico as well as Atlanta, Georgia and Florida. The prestigious and elegant Havana Biltmore Yacht and Country Club at the end of the swimming season, presented a large trophy to Rivas congratulating him as one of its most distinguished athletes and provided him with an unusual honor by placing his photo in the front page of the club magazine distributed to its several thousand members.
SUAREZ RIVAS, EDUARDO, born in Havana, Cuba passed away October 7, 2015. Visitation will be on Sunday, October 11, 2015, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm at Ferdinand Funeral Home. Mass will be celebrated on Monday, October 12, 2015 at 12:00pm at Church of the Little Flower, followed by Interment at 1:45pm at Woodlawn Park South.
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