Obituary for Roman "Masin" Zurita
Remembering Roman “Masin” Zurita
Roman Zurita -father, son, husband, brother, and grandfather
Sunrise - December 26, 1940
Sunset - May 20, 2023
To a special Dad- A smile for all and a heart of gold. One of the best this world could hold. Never selfish, always kind. A beautiful memory left behind.
Roman was born in Catano, Puerto Rico on Christmas day in 1940 to mother Isabel Fonseca Andino Zurita and father Leoncio Andino Zurita. He was the eldest of 8 children and affectionately nicknamed by his mother Masin.
Puerto Rico was dear to Masin. He had a large extended family and his family home was located steps away from the beach in the section of Matienzo Cintron in Catano. As a young boy, he enjoyed ferry rides to old San Juan, swimming at the beach and playing the game of stickball (aka island baseball). My dad would say, as long as you had a broom and a rubber ball -you can have the time of your life. Stickball remained a pastime in Masin’s life that he continued to play in the streets of Spanish Harlem in New York. Masin played on several baseball teams including his High School Metropolitan Vocational. Although Masin did not make the major leagues as he dreamed, he vicariously celebrated his childhood friend Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda of the San Francisco Giants.
Puerto Rico for years was joyous but in later years the island began to experience economic challenges impacting many including Masin’s family. No matter the hardships, Isabel instilled in her son Masin the faith in God and prayer to the saints for strength. Isabel would always turn to her 2 favorite saints for intercession:
1.Saint Lazarus (saint of the poor & sick)
2. Saint Barbara (saint who gives strength to those suffering injustices and facing
dangers & needing liberation from misery).
At 14, a young but mature Masin was determined to earn his own income. He pitied his mother for working long hours while his father was also working at sea for months as a US Merchant Marine. One day, he took a bold chance and pretended to be 16 years old for a lucrative weekend job as a US cargo ship hand. The job did wonders for Masin until he got a visit at school from National Maritime officials -who gave him a stern warning to stay away, that age forgery is a serious punishable offense.
Economic struggles continue to grow in Puerto Rico. Masin encouraged Isabel to leave the island because it was the only way they would succeed. Many Puertoricans in the 1950s were heading in droves to New York in search of opportunities. Isabel made the hard decision to leave her precious island in March of 1955. The family made their new home in New York City’s “El Barrio” on 117th Street and Lexington Avenue. In the beginning, life for the Zurita’s was bumpy but later proved to be the best decision they made. As Isabel would say, “Que vive Chango”( Chango spirit’s will live on)- Chango is an African folklore character who’s story was told to many past generations living in the Caribbean islands.
Thanks to his mother, Masin always had a happy go lucky attitude about life and never allowed challenges to get him down. Masin’s life philosophy was “When Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade” For Masin, you can make life your Carnival as long as you have determination, Santa Barbara, baseball, Salsa music and a good plate of food.
Masin’s philosophy led him to be a successful entrepreneur. He took risks no matter the sacrifices or consequences. His gamble and faith proved to be fruitful. Through the years, he owned and operated his prized property “53 Bruckner Blvd” in the Bronx and a Wholesale Beer and Soda Distribution establishment and a flower shop called “Rosas de Ray”. He proved that you can achieve against all the odds.
While running his businesses, Masin also continued the carnival. New York City was lively in the 1960s & 1970s. Mambo and Salsa music was very popular amongst Puerto Ricans. Many live shows featured the best artists of the time (Tito Puento, Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Cheo Felicano, and El Gran Combo to name a few). Masin was a huge Salsa fan and dancer who attended popular venues such as “The Palladium, El Corso, & Roseland).
In 1972, while visiting one of his favorite venues, he met a cocktail waitress named “Carmen”. The two had magnetic chemistry and quickly became a couple. For Masin, he found his India Chi-na. An extraordinary Puerto Rican woman who was humble, pretty and gifted in the kitchen. Ironically, the two discovered they lived around the corner from one another, yet never crossed paths. Salsa, however, brought them together.
For Masin, paying homage to Santa Barbara was important because during times of uncertainty, he always found that calling on her would give him the will to persevere. Every year, the 1st Saturday in December marked the feast of Santa Barbara. Always, Masin would hold a great feast in Santa Barbara’s honor. However, the Saturday of December 1, 1973 would give new meaning to this celebration. That year, Masin and Carmen welcomed the birth of their baby girl. Recognizing this child as a gift, they named her Barbara to honor the patron Saint. Four years later, the couple were blessed again with a baby boy named Simon. Only this time, the precious baby was born premature, weighing only 3 lbs. Again, the couple were reminded that having faith in God and the saints will keep them strong despite the trials and tribulations.
Throughout the years, Masin maintained a humble life, while quietly operating his businesses and living the American Dream until he eventually retired to focus his attention on his beloved sick wife Carmen.
To all of those who knew “Masin” he was a generous, happy spirit who loved living life through music, dancing, watching baseball, eating out and winning every now and then at “Numberitos (Street Lotto).
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, Roman quietly departed this life to join God’s heaven.
Masin always said “When I die, don’t cry” but "celebrate that my spirit is free”.
Papi you will be greatly missed and I will always love you. I will always remember the strong man who carried me on his shoulders as a child on our way to have pancakes at McDonalds every Saturday morning.
May you always rest in peace with my Mami Carmen, Abuelita Isabel, Abuelita Hilda and Tio Johnny.
Masin is survived by his daughter Barbara, his sons Simon, Anthony & Oscar.
Loving grandfather to Aaliyah, Amaya, Ethan, Ashley, Aalanys, Jacquelyn, Madison, Anthony jr, Israel, Annabella, Justine & great grandchildren.
Beloved brother of Margarita, Alica, Isabel, Junior, Feliciana, Johnny , Yvette, Innocencia (Negrita Fonseca Martinez), Chu (Jesus Fonseca) & Eduardo Martinez (who my dad had so much gratitude for saving his life in 1978).
And treasured cousin and uncle of many nieces and nephews.
Roman Zurita -father, son, husband, brother, and grandfather
Sunrise - December 26, 1940
Sunset - May 20, 2023
To a special Dad- A smile for all and a heart of gold. One of the best this world could hold. Never selfish, always kind. A beautiful memory left behind.
Roman was born in Catano, Puerto Rico on Christmas day in 1940 to mother Isabel Fonseca Andino Zurita and father Leoncio Andino Zurita. He was the eldest of 8 children and affectionately nicknamed by his mother Masin.
Puerto Rico was dear to Masin. He had a large extended family and his family home was located steps away from the beach in the section of Matienzo Cintron in Catano. As a young boy, he enjoyed ferry rides to old San Juan, swimming at the beach and playing the game of stickball (aka island baseball). My dad would say, as long as you had a broom and a rubber ball -you can have the time of your life. Stickball remained a pastime in Masin’s life that he continued to play in the streets of Spanish Harlem in New York. Masin played on several baseball teams including his High School Metropolitan Vocational. Although Masin did not make the major leagues as he dreamed, he vicariously celebrated his childhood friend Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda of the San Francisco Giants.
Puerto Rico for years was joyous but in later years the island began to experience economic challenges impacting many including Masin’s family. No matter the hardships, Isabel instilled in her son Masin the faith in God and prayer to the saints for strength. Isabel would always turn to her 2 favorite saints for intercession:
1.Saint Lazarus (saint of the poor & sick)
2. Saint Barbara (saint who gives strength to those suffering injustices and facing
dangers & needing liberation from misery).
At 14, a young but mature Masin was determined to earn his own income. He pitied his mother for working long hours while his father was also working at sea for months as a US Merchant Marine. One day, he took a bold chance and pretended to be 16 years old for a lucrative weekend job as a US cargo ship hand. The job did wonders for Masin until he got a visit at school from National Maritime officials -who gave him a stern warning to stay away, that age forgery is a serious punishable offense.
Economic struggles continue to grow in Puerto Rico. Masin encouraged Isabel to leave the island because it was the only way they would succeed. Many Puertoricans in the 1950s were heading in droves to New York in search of opportunities. Isabel made the hard decision to leave her precious island in March of 1955. The family made their new home in New York City’s “El Barrio” on 117th Street and Lexington Avenue. In the beginning, life for the Zurita’s was bumpy but later proved to be the best decision they made. As Isabel would say, “Que vive Chango”( Chango spirit’s will live on)- Chango is an African folklore character who’s story was told to many past generations living in the Caribbean islands.
Thanks to his mother, Masin always had a happy go lucky attitude about life and never allowed challenges to get him down. Masin’s life philosophy was “When Life gives you lemons, you make lemonade” For Masin, you can make life your Carnival as long as you have determination, Santa Barbara, baseball, Salsa music and a good plate of food.
Masin’s philosophy led him to be a successful entrepreneur. He took risks no matter the sacrifices or consequences. His gamble and faith proved to be fruitful. Through the years, he owned and operated his prized property “53 Bruckner Blvd” in the Bronx and a Wholesale Beer and Soda Distribution establishment and a flower shop called “Rosas de Ray”. He proved that you can achieve against all the odds.
While running his businesses, Masin also continued the carnival. New York City was lively in the 1960s & 1970s. Mambo and Salsa music was very popular amongst Puerto Ricans. Many live shows featured the best artists of the time (Tito Puento, Celia Cruz, Hector Lavoe, Cheo Felicano, and El Gran Combo to name a few). Masin was a huge Salsa fan and dancer who attended popular venues such as “The Palladium, El Corso, & Roseland).
In 1972, while visiting one of his favorite venues, he met a cocktail waitress named “Carmen”. The two had magnetic chemistry and quickly became a couple. For Masin, he found his India Chi-na. An extraordinary Puerto Rican woman who was humble, pretty and gifted in the kitchen. Ironically, the two discovered they lived around the corner from one another, yet never crossed paths. Salsa, however, brought them together.
For Masin, paying homage to Santa Barbara was important because during times of uncertainty, he always found that calling on her would give him the will to persevere. Every year, the 1st Saturday in December marked the feast of Santa Barbara. Always, Masin would hold a great feast in Santa Barbara’s honor. However, the Saturday of December 1, 1973 would give new meaning to this celebration. That year, Masin and Carmen welcomed the birth of their baby girl. Recognizing this child as a gift, they named her Barbara to honor the patron Saint. Four years later, the couple were blessed again with a baby boy named Simon. Only this time, the precious baby was born premature, weighing only 3 lbs. Again, the couple were reminded that having faith in God and the saints will keep them strong despite the trials and tribulations.
Throughout the years, Masin maintained a humble life, while quietly operating his businesses and living the American Dream until he eventually retired to focus his attention on his beloved sick wife Carmen.
To all of those who knew “Masin” he was a generous, happy spirit who loved living life through music, dancing, watching baseball, eating out and winning every now and then at “Numberitos (Street Lotto).
On Saturday, May 20, 2023, Roman quietly departed this life to join God’s heaven.
Masin always said “When I die, don’t cry” but "celebrate that my spirit is free”.
Papi you will be greatly missed and I will always love you. I will always remember the strong man who carried me on his shoulders as a child on our way to have pancakes at McDonalds every Saturday morning.
May you always rest in peace with my Mami Carmen, Abuelita Isabel, Abuelita Hilda and Tio Johnny.
Masin is survived by his daughter Barbara, his sons Simon, Anthony & Oscar.
Loving grandfather to Aaliyah, Amaya, Ethan, Ashley, Aalanys, Jacquelyn, Madison, Anthony jr, Israel, Annabella, Justine & great grandchildren.
Beloved brother of Margarita, Alica, Isabel, Junior, Feliciana, Johnny , Yvette, Innocencia (Negrita Fonseca Martinez), Chu (Jesus Fonseca) & Eduardo Martinez (who my dad had so much gratitude for saving his life in 1978).
And treasured cousin and uncle of many nieces and nephews.