Dr. Juan Abel Diaz, 82, of Cape Coral passed away November 16, 2005. He was born February 11, 1923 in Batabano, Havana Cuba.

Dr. Diaz was a retired teacher, previously employed by Lee County School Board, Branford High School, Wolfson High School, Fort Myers High School, and Edison College. He has a PH.D in Education from the University of Havana, Cuba, Master of Arts in foreign language from Florida State University. Dr. Diaz was the Principal of the University School in Havana, Cuba for over 10 years. In 1961 Dr. Diaz brought his family to the United States to escape the raise of communism in Cuba and began his teaching career in the Florida schools. In Lee County Dr. Diaz was a member of Florida Foreign Language Association; Bilingual Education Association National and State Level; Sponsor for the Foreign Language Student Competition for Lee County at the State Level. He was a member of St. Andrews Catholic Church.

Survivors include his son Edward M. Diaz, daughters Ileana Cristina Adams, Carmen Rosa Diaz, brother Jesus Diaz, sister-in-law Eulalia (Cuca) Diaz; grandchildren; Edward M. Jr., Eric M., Christina M., Christopher M., Nicholas B., Jason M., Maria C., Benjamin John, great-grandchildren; Edward M. III, Isabella A., Anthony M., Nicholas J. He is also survived by the mother of his children Clara Fabiana Olson, and friends Sam Caccamo, Bill and Betty Whitaker, Frank & Beverly Hanson, Ruth Cunningham, Paul & Shirley Allen, the Caccamo, Family, Ceraceta Family, Cathy & Dave Young.

Our father lived a long and happy life surrounded by family and friends. He enjoyed traveling, antiques, gardening and the arts. He was a loving father and a great man whose personal influence will live on through the lives he touched. He taught us the love of family, the love of God and the love of our country. Thank you for all you've done and the choices you made which brought us freedom and prepared us for the life. We miss you, Papi, but we will see you again.

A memorial service will be Saturday, November 19, 2005 at 1:00 PM at St. Andrews Church, Cape Coral. There will be a gathering in honor of Dr. Diaz at the Cape Coral Yacht Club following the memorial service.

Published in The News-Press on Nov. 18, 2005