Aurelio.Azpiazu, 89, died on December 15th, 2008, at the home of his only Son in Port Republic, Maryland. Mr. Azpiazu came to the United States from his native Cuba in 1939. He came to New York City with $8.00 in his pocket where his older brother, Robert had previously emigrated. Together the two brothers found work, developed lives and only returned to Cuba to marry there lifelong partners. He was one of 4 children born to his family in Cuba and he was the last survivor of his siblings.

Aurelio moved his family to Miami, Florida, in 1951. There he eventually established himself as a licensed General Contractor. He lived in Miami until 1987 when he and his wife, Raquel, retired to join his brother and his wife in Palatka, Florida. Mr. Azpiazu while a resident of Palatka, often traveled to Port Republic for stays with his only child's family. He moved to Maryland recently to be closer to his family.

He believed in the old fashioned concepts of honesty and keeping his word. He often spoke of the more than 35 types of jobs he had performed over the course of his working life. As a General Contractor, he built homes and commercial buildings in Miami and elsewhere in Florida. After Hurricane Andrew he returned to Miami as soon as possible to see how his homes had fared as many of those he had built had been in the direct path of the storm. He was very proud that none of his homes suffered no greater damage than a few roof shingles blowing off.

Mr. Azpiazu was also proud of his contributions to the establishment of an Alumni Association for the primary school he had attended in Cuba. The association known as the "Fraternidad de la Escuela Redencion" was established in Miami to assist teachers and school alumni that had found themselves in Miami after leaving Castro's Cuba. He and the other founders (most of whom had established themselves over decades in the US), recognized that the newcomers were going to have difficulties beginning new lives and the group assisted those new arrivals to establish themselves and eventually succeed in the USA.

Mr. Azpiazu is survived by his only Son, Aurelio, daughter-in-law, Diane, Granddaughter, Sara and great grandson, Sebastian all residents of Maryland. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Raquel in early 2007. He is also survived by nephews and families of Robert and Alfred of St. Augustine, Florida, and another nephew and nieces in Cuba. He leaves behind many others that considered himself a part of their families and surrogate father to them.

Mr. Azpiazu had a full and exemplary life that is an example to all who remember and will miss him. Memorial services are planned as follows. A memorial service was held at Christ Church, Port Republic, Maryland, 3100 Broome Island Road at 11:00 AM on Saturday December 20th, 2008. A ceremony preceding internment will be held at 1300 on Monday, December 29th, 2008, at the Chapel of the Our Lady of Mercy Cemetary, 11411 NW 25th Street, Miami, Florida. Preparations and details for these two services are being arranged by Rausch Funeral Home (www.rauschfuneralhomes.com) Port Republic, Maryland, and any additional information will be found on their web site.

It is suggested that memorial donations in liwu of flowers go to All Saints Anglican Church, Palatka, Florida, or Roberts Center of Haven Hospice, Palatka, Florida, or Calvert Hospice, Prince Frederick, Maryland. All donations would be welcome.