Blasino Montanez Colon

Blasino Montanez Colon, 96, passed away peacefully in the company of two angels in human form; his son Jorge Montanez, and his granddaughter Jocelyn Montanez at Peninsula Care and Rehab in Tarpon Springs, FL on Friday, April 7, 2017. Throughout his long life Blasino provided for a large family the old fashioned way, through honest work for honest pay. He was the embodiment of human decency when it came to offering a helping hand to those in need. His infectious laugh brought joy to those privileged enough to have been in his company. He will be remembered for his panama fedora hat and his signature guayabera-style shirts.In his later years, his kindness and generosity were rewarded by the family members that became his dedicated caregivers. His daughter, Carmen Montanez, and his granddaughter, Evelyn (Villodas) Diaz, dedicated themselves to providing him with quality of life while juggling their own work schedules and busy lifestyles. Other members of the family that contributed to his care are Edwin Villodas, Madeline (Villodas) Colon and her husband Miguel Colon, Jorge Montanez and Gilberto Gonzalez.Blasino leaves behind six children and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild named Lexi.The family would like to thank Confesora Ortiz and Ermelinda Colon for bringing great joy to this wonderful man especially during the holiday gatherings.The family would also like to express their deepest gratitude to the doctors and specialists who provided their expert care and extended the life of our loved one: Dr. Arminder Singh and his staff, Dr. Mohamed Hamdani, Dr. Philip Glynn, and Dr. Kenneth Koenigs, all of Springfield, MA. Also, thank you to Dr. Kevin Hulseberg of Holyoke, MA for your warmth and patience in dealing with the elderly. Finally, thank you to Dr. Syeda Rizvi and her staff in Seminole, FL for your gentle approach with “Papi”. Our family was truly blessed to have had a team of knowledgeable doctors managing our loved one’s health care needs.Our hats off to the staff at Seniority Social and Adult Day Care in Springfield, MA. Blasino came to consider your Center his second home. Thank you for being so welcoming, and kind in the years that he attended.A heartfelt thanks to Liz Barlowe, Tom Camp, and Cindy Hillman of Liz Barlowe and Associates in Seminole, FL. You lifted the burden of trying to find the right nursing home for Mr. Montanez Colon. Your hard work did not end upon placement. You are all true advocates of the weak and elderly. You became our eyes and ears when the family moved away to Maryland. We cannot thank you enough for giving us peace of mind.To the staff at Bon Secours Maria Manor, St. Bernadette Unit, in St. Petersburg, FL and the staff on North Wing at Peninsula Care and Rehab in Tarpon Springs, FL thank you for the care you provided as he slowly began to decline. We know the work you do is a difficult one and often times unappreciated.Last but not least to Carlos Perez, Ida Luz Gonzalez, and the rest of the extended family in Florida who adopted Blasino as their own. May God Bless you always for becoming his surrogate family in our absence. We will be forever grateful.A private funeral service and burial will be held Saturday, April 15, 2017.