Francisco J Lanza's Obituary
Francisco Javier Lanza was born in La Habana, Cuba, January 30, 1932, and passed away in Miami, Florida, November 5, 2024. He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Martha Gonzalez Lanza, his three daughters, Martha Barberi (Luis Barberi), Teresita Lanza (Gary Lancelotta), and Gloria Campos (Delfin Campos), 7 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren, two sisters and many nieces and nephews.
Javier, as he was known, was a man of a few words; however, his actions spoke humbly yet loudly about his life of hard work, generosity, and faith. He attended the Colegio de San Agustin, where he became fluent in both Spanish and English. He fled Communist Cuba at the age of 29 with his wife and three daughters like most Cubans, with nothing to their name. Due to the large Cuban exodus in 1961, jobs were scarce in Miami, Florida, so Javier re-applied for and obtained a job with International Harvester in Chicago, the same company where he had worked in La Habana for 10 years. This job would take him and his family to Bogotá, Colombia, where the family lived for 3.5 years, and then transferred to Caracas, Venezuela, for 1.5 years. Due to his impeccable work ethic, he was invited to be the sub-director of Interpan, S.A., in the Republic of Panamá's capital city, Panamá. Interpan, S.A. was a dealership of International Harvester heavy equipment and parts, which also housed a maintenance department for all the equipment sold in the country. Javier's ability to connect effectively and fairly contributed, throughout the years, to the growth and success of this enterprise.
In his early school years in Cuba, the sport of his choice was basketball. At the age of 36 in Panamá, Javier took up the sport of tennis with the intention of becoming a healthier person in body and mind. He played this sport for 40 years and he did it like he did everything else in his life: with attention, fairness and accepting challenges. He also enjoyed the game of chess and dominoes; the latter he played successfully and competitively until his last days. One of his greatest pleasures was engaging in a challenging and friendly game of dominoes. The goal was not just in winning but in the connection it provided.
Family was Javier's most treasured joy; he was a strong supporter of unity. In his everyday life, Javier lived by and relied on his faith in God. Despite life's challenges, his decisions were based in the foundation of love and fairness which included family, friends and colleagues, as well as the Catholic priests who taught him in Cuba with whom he maintained a relationship in exile and aided in their missionary efforts.
Javier's legacy of loving perseverance, faith in God, and family values will live with us always.
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