Obituary of Rafael Arco

ARCO, Rafael Angel, age 74, died peacefully on Friday, March 13, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Sagua La Grande, Cuba, he resided in Acarigua, Venezuela. Family was the focus of Rafael's life followed by his devotion and dedication to his career. President of the Central Azucarero Portuguesa (Grupo Oswaldo Cisneros), the largest sugar producer in South America, he was known for his professionalism and business etiquette and the quality he brought to the production and establishment in the sugar sector. Rafael, was honorably loved by all of his sugar industry colleagues for being their father figure. Rafael is survived by his beloved wife Estela (Jimenez) to whom he was married for 49 wonderful years, his four dear children: Rafael, Carlos, Estela and Alejandro; their spouses: Noemi, Christina, Ron Blaustein and Maria and eight loving grandchildren: Carlos Alfonso, Andres--children of Katia Arco, Maria Alejandra, Jacob, Jonathan, Estefania, Jules, Jaime, and Alexa. Also survived by his two siblings: Fernando and Caridad Nunez. Friends may visit the family on Saturday, March 14, 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM at the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Ave., Wyckoff. Funeral Prayers at 11:00 AM followed by a mass of Christian burial, 11:30 AM at Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, 900 Darlington Avenue, Mahwah. Interment, Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to La Fundacion de Nuestra Señora de Coromoto, a new church being constructed in a rural area of Venezuela, c/o Immaculate Conception R.C. Church, would be appreciated.