Kenneth Alfred Basulto's Obituary
Kenneth Alfred Basulto, 78, died on February 15, 2020 in Miami, Florida. He was born in The Bronx, New York on September 2, 1941.
He was a devoted son of Angeles Borja Hijuelos and Edward Basulto. He is survived by his wife, Ela Basulto, a young girl he met when he returned from The Bay of Pigs to check on the family of a fellow soldier that was a prisoner of war. They shared fifty-one years together.
Kenneth was a loving father to Gina, Angie, Alexis, Annie, son KB and honorary daughter Anna Mary. He was a doting grandfather to Amanda, Jesse, Alyssa, Robert, Allyson, Alexia, Jacob, Gianna, Phoenix, Cruz, London and great-grandchildren Margot and Milan. He was an exceptional father-in-law, cousin, uncle and godfather to Michelle Nodarse, Brian Jr. and Christian Friedrick. Although he was an only child - he shared the love for a sibling with cousin Lalita Hijuelos.
His life-long friendships consisted of men he met in The Bay of Pigs when he was eighteen years old. His youthful memory is survived by his childhood friend, Jerry Statler. A friend he always considered a brother and spoke to almost every day of his life over the last seventy years.
Kenneth was kind and generous to many over the years. He worked in the travel industry for decades and was passionate about The Ronald Mcdonald house charity. He opened his home to many over the years, because he truly would help those any way he could. He always looked forward to football season and had the opportunity to watch his last super bowl. He was an avid collector of Coca-Cola and Cuban Memorabilia.
At the age of 74, after years of attempting to locate his half brother, Edward Canepa, he finally made contact with his kin in California and learned he was a few years too late to reunite. A family reunion soon followed in Orlando, Florida in 2017, and Kenneth's family doubled instantaneously.
Kenneth’s last week was spent at Mount Sinai in Miami Beach, surrounded by loved ones to the very end. He passed away on a rainy night at 10:33pm. He always found solace in the rain. His battle with bladder cancer only made his family stronger and was constantly surrounded by love.
Kenneth will rest with fallen Bay of Pigs Veterans and next to his compadre Secundno Abut, the man who helped him join five decades earlier.
Services will be held at Caballero Rivero Dade South Cemetery Bay of Pigs #2506.
February 28, 2020 at 1pm
14200 SW 117th Ave, Miami, FL 33186.
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