Gilberto Estrada's Obituary
Dr. GILBERTO ESTRADA, 94, of Bowie, died at his home August 2, 2013 after a long battle with cancer.
He is survived by his wife Ruth, to whom he was married for 68 years, and their six children Myriam Tuveson (husband - Lee), Xavier, Cecilia Jones (husband - Gareth), Juan (wife - Rebecca), Antonio and Marcelo (wife - Carina). He is also survived by nine grandchildren: William and Eric Tuveson, Christopher and Robert Jones, Stephanie, Michael, and Jonathan Estrada, and Isabel and Alejandro Estrada.
Dr. Estrada was born and raised in Ecuador, South America. He moved to Bowie to be near his children after he retired from his professional career as a dentist in 1982. Soon after, Dr. Estrada and his wife became citizens of their newly adopted country.
He enjoyed his interest in history and geography and was very active in civic and cultural affairs both in Ecuador and here. He and his wife attended Sacred Heart Church regularly and you could always spot them in the front row. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and loved by all who knew him. He was very active and he was always up for going somewhere or doing something, you could find him playing soccer in the back yard with his children and grandchildren well into his 70’s.
Dr. Estrada loved to travel and especially enjoyed his trips to Europe to visit his son Marcelo and family who lived first in France and then in Spain. The highlight of one of those trips was to meet Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. As a devout catholic he felt deeply honored to have had such an opportunity.
Another hobby he enjoyed was gardening which kept him busy in good weather. He loved holidays and other family celebrations including dancing and having a good time with family and friends. More than anything, however, he will be remembered as a person of unwavering faith who loved and cared for his family, had the gift of wisdom, set good examples, had a positive attitude, a very pleasant disposition and always smiled.
In lieu of flowers, Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the American Diabetes Association at Diabetes.org
Funeral service and interment was private and held at Lasting Tributes, Annapolis.
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