Leonardo Tabares

Most of you knew my father as a quiet and conservative man. For those who really got to know him, he was funny, witty and pretty clever. Born in Pereira and raised in Bogota he was proud of being Colombian. In his late teens he moved to Mexico where he met our beautiful mother Maria. In the 70s they traveled over to the US to chase the American dream, and had 3 children. Our father had a strong work ethic, our parents owned a clothing production business for many years. He worked as a tailor and took much pride in his work. I still remember the newspaper article he kept with a picture of the suit he sowed for Hilary Clinton. My father loved horse races, he loved going to Santa Anita race track, sometimes getting him in a little trouble, but hey that was him. He was a music lover, he loved to dance cumbia too. In his retired years he enjoyed helping with his grandkids. The grandkids thought it was so funny how early he arrived to get a good parking spot when picking them up from school. Towards the end of his life he started to become forgetful and lose control of simple things like being able to feed himself or just get up on his own. Even in these confused states he never forgot who his children were, his eyes would light up when he would see us walk in, and then say, “ I Love you to Masshh”. In his final days we were able to tell him how much we loved him, we hugged him, and showed him he would never be alone. Lord for this I thank you.

Although saying goodbye has been difficult, we all know he is with my mother now and no longer suffering. We now have 2 beautiful angels in heaven. Thank you Lord for blessing us with two beautiful loving and devoted parents.

WE LOVE YOU DAD!!