1925
Pedro
2012
Pedro Domingo Cejas
December 4, 1925 — October 25, 2012
The Life and Times of Pedro Domingo Cejas
Born December 4, 1925, Passed October 25, 2012
LIFEFLOW OF PEDRO CEJAS
Pedro Cejas was born December 4, 1925 in Mantanza, Cuba and died October 25, 2012 in Portland Oregon, after living 86 years, 10 months and 21 days. He is survived by his wife Nereyda, his daughters Mayra and Nelly, and their husbands Greg and Frank, his grandchildren Grace, Nicholas and Alex and great grandson Brooklyn. Pedro was preceded in death by his siblings Amanda, Erminia, Eva, Rita, Esparanza and Mauro.
So Pedro was the 6th of the 7 children born to Pedro and Benigna Garcia Cejas. He grew up in the city of Matanzas, and loved playing second base for his baseball team "Los Coladores". He and Nereyda were Novios since she was 14 years old, they dated five years before getting married twice—once on November 27th of 1952 by the state, and then again by a Catholic ceremony on the November 28th, 1952. They were blessed with their first daughter Mayra in 1954 with Nelly following in 1962. And from 1956-1963 Pedro worked as a dispatcher taking complaints for GE in Cuba.
Pedro filed papers right away to immigrate to America because he knew he wanted his children to be able to grow up in a free country. It took courage to make the decision because of the backlash from family and friends and the reality that when your request was approved, you had exactly 24 hours to get out of the country! No pre-alert that your approval was getting close to approval just 24 hours. Pack a bag and your're gone. The government came and sealed your house and that was that! Pedro and Nereyda however, were greatly aided by their friends Emelio and Consuelo Rodriguez who were already established here in Portland and helped them settle in.
Pedro received assistance for two months only because that was not his way. He was too proud to take anything they had not worked for. Both he and Nereyda found factory jobs right away. Pedro worked at Barker's Furniture in Portland, assembling furniture and working in shipping & receiving for around 10 years. He and Nereyda bought their current home in 1972 and paid it off quickly; his major message to this kids and grandkids was "Save your Money" "Pay cash"—don't' use credit!!! Family was clearly the highest priority to Pedro—family first. Daddy loved to have his family around and his commitment to and sacrifice for family has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. Above all, Nereyda forever remained the love of his life and he devoted himself to care for her and worry for her! He liked to joke around but wasn't much of a talker—When the kids called on the phone, all he basically wanted was to hear their voices and then hand the receiver over to Nereyda. And Pedro would say "Yo solo quiero oir tu voz para saber que estan bien".
In his younger years Pedro coached the Cuban Club slow pitch city softball team that won the City League one year. He and Nereyda were always helping the new Cuban arrival's to get settled here, in Portland. The two of them were able to enjoy some traveling together to places like Spain, the Dominican Republic, Cabo San Lucas, and Vegas. They also enjoyed a vacation in Hawaii on Oahu with daughters only—NO HUSBANDS! On TV he was into watching boxing but would get so intense he would have to turn it off! He could have a bit of a temper at times….
Pedro dealt with significant medical challenges over the years but overcame all the odds given him. He stopped smoking the Cuban Cigars he so much enjoyed but after his first heart attack at 50 years of age –1975 he quit. In 1977 he had triple bypass heart surgery that didn't work and left him with half a heart. The doctor gave him 5 years to live—he made it 35 years!! He had a pacemaker put in 10 years ago and when he went for a new pacemaker, they took him off his medication and ended up with a major blood clot that several surgeries couldn't rectify. And here we are today.
Pedro was a very courageous, loving husband, father and Grandfather/Great Grandfather. Our Viejo/Daddy has returned to the One who gave him life and by now has seen and heard the mysteries of the world to come, that the rest of us can only see by faith. And though his passing leaves a gap no one else can fill, his life and love have left memories no one can steal.
Born December 4, 1925, Passed October 25, 2012
LIFEFLOW OF PEDRO CEJAS
Pedro Cejas was born December 4, 1925 in Mantanza, Cuba and died October 25, 2012 in Portland Oregon, after living 86 years, 10 months and 21 days. He is survived by his wife Nereyda, his daughters Mayra and Nelly, and their husbands Greg and Frank, his grandchildren Grace, Nicholas and Alex and great grandson Brooklyn. Pedro was preceded in death by his siblings Amanda, Erminia, Eva, Rita, Esparanza and Mauro.
So Pedro was the 6th of the 7 children born to Pedro and Benigna Garcia Cejas. He grew up in the city of Matanzas, and loved playing second base for his baseball team "Los Coladores". He and Nereyda were Novios since she was 14 years old, they dated five years before getting married twice—once on November 27th of 1952 by the state, and then again by a Catholic ceremony on the November 28th, 1952. They were blessed with their first daughter Mayra in 1954 with Nelly following in 1962. And from 1956-1963 Pedro worked as a dispatcher taking complaints for GE in Cuba.
Pedro filed papers right away to immigrate to America because he knew he wanted his children to be able to grow up in a free country. It took courage to make the decision because of the backlash from family and friends and the reality that when your request was approved, you had exactly 24 hours to get out of the country! No pre-alert that your approval was getting close to approval just 24 hours. Pack a bag and your're gone. The government came and sealed your house and that was that! Pedro and Nereyda however, were greatly aided by their friends Emelio and Consuelo Rodriguez who were already established here in Portland and helped them settle in.
Pedro received assistance for two months only because that was not his way. He was too proud to take anything they had not worked for. Both he and Nereyda found factory jobs right away. Pedro worked at Barker's Furniture in Portland, assembling furniture and working in shipping & receiving for around 10 years. He and Nereyda bought their current home in 1972 and paid it off quickly; his major message to this kids and grandkids was "Save your Money" "Pay cash"—don't' use credit!!! Family was clearly the highest priority to Pedro—family first. Daddy loved to have his family around and his commitment to and sacrifice for family has been passed on to his children and grandchildren. Above all, Nereyda forever remained the love of his life and he devoted himself to care for her and worry for her! He liked to joke around but wasn't much of a talker—When the kids called on the phone, all he basically wanted was to hear their voices and then hand the receiver over to Nereyda. And Pedro would say "Yo solo quiero oir tu voz para saber que estan bien".
In his younger years Pedro coached the Cuban Club slow pitch city softball team that won the City League one year. He and Nereyda were always helping the new Cuban arrival's to get settled here, in Portland. The two of them were able to enjoy some traveling together to places like Spain, the Dominican Republic, Cabo San Lucas, and Vegas. They also enjoyed a vacation in Hawaii on Oahu with daughters only—NO HUSBANDS! On TV he was into watching boxing but would get so intense he would have to turn it off! He could have a bit of a temper at times….
Pedro dealt with significant medical challenges over the years but overcame all the odds given him. He stopped smoking the Cuban Cigars he so much enjoyed but after his first heart attack at 50 years of age –1975 he quit. In 1977 he had triple bypass heart surgery that didn't work and left him with half a heart. The doctor gave him 5 years to live—he made it 35 years!! He had a pacemaker put in 10 years ago and when he went for a new pacemaker, they took him off his medication and ended up with a major blood clot that several surgeries couldn't rectify. And here we are today.
Pedro was a very courageous, loving husband, father and Grandfather/Great Grandfather. Our Viejo/Daddy has returned to the One who gave him life and by now has seen and heard the mysteries of the world to come, that the rest of us can only see by faith. And though his passing leaves a gap no one else can fill, his life and love have left memories no one can steal.
Service
Rose City Funeral Home
5625 Northeast Fremont Street
Portland
,
OR
US
97213-1754
Monday, October 29, 2012, 3:00 PM
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