Santiago Roberto Mena

Santiago “Roberto” Mena, husband, father, entrepreneur, and example of the American Dream to so many, died the morning of January 4, 2018 surrounded by the love and support of his family.

Born in Santiago de Cuba on July 25, 1934, Roberto was the living embodiment of the rich culture of his beloved Cuba. In addition to reminiscing about his parents Jose Pardo Mena and Nicolasa Maso, he loved to talk about his favorite foods and fashion.

Roberto learned the value of hard work at a young age, selling mangos near the railroad tracks to make money. He eventually moved to Havana a few years later to find work, and found the love of his life, Gladys Mena, instead. Roberto and Gladys had two amazing children, Roberto Lazaro Mena and Maria Elena Mena, who are their parents’ pride and joy.

After Castro came to power in Cuba, Roberto moved his family to the United States where he worked tirelessly to provide a better life for his family. While working for Mid City Sales for several years, he met his future business partner, Bernie Schwartz. After working long hours for several years, Bernie and Roberto eventually saved enough money to purchase their own shops: two Exxon stations, a body shop, and a used car lot. In retirement, the partners sold their businesses, but Roberto continued one last business-an auto shop on New Hampshire Avenue in Takoma Park, Maryland, which his son, Roberto operates to this day.

Roberto’s character, integrity, strong work ethic, and entrepreneurial spirit was inspirational to so many young kids who looked at him as an example of what self-determination and belief in yourself could accomplish.

Santiago “Roberto” Mena is survived by his beloved wife Gladys Mena, his son Roberto Lazaro Mena and  his daughter Maria Mena. He also leaves behind his four grandchildren; Antoine R. Mena, Gabriela Payano Mena, Mason Mena and Jacqueline R. Mena.

Roberto was an avid music lover and absolutely loved Cuban musician Benny More. Anytime his friends would come to visit, he would sing them the same Benny More song, called “Cienfuegos”.

Cienfuegos is a city called the “Pearl of the South” in Cuba where Benny More was born. In the song, More talks about returning to his favorite city to see why they call it the “pearl” and how he ends up staying there after receiving a fortune of love. Although Roberto is no longer here in the physical form, we hope God has a record player and a copy of Cienfuegos for him. If not, we’ll continue to play it form him right here on Earth until we see him again.

The family wishes to express their sincere thanks and gratitude to all. God bless!

El momento de despedirse de un ser querido es triste y sobre todo nos causa un dolor inmenso. Familiares y amigos, con mucho pesar despedimos a Santiago Roberto Mena quien falleció en horas de la mañana el 4 de enero de 2018.

En su corazón Roberto nunca partió de su adorada Cuba, el país que primero amo. El siempre sintió orgullo al recordar su origen, sus padres Nicolasa Maso y José Pardo Mena, su niñez en la casa de la mata de mango en Santiago de Cuba donde nació el 25 de julio de 1934. Su juventud transcurrió en la Habana donde se caso con su amada Gladys Hilaria García Castro y de este amor nacieron sus dos hijos, Roberto Lázaro Mena y María Elena Mena.

Santiago Roberto Mena emigro a los Estados Unidos de América junto a su familia en enero de 1966. Fue un hombre energético, emprendedor y de carácter fuerte, un trabajador incansable y mecánico automotriz que logro realizar el sueno de tener su propio negocio, su taller de mecánica en la avenida New Hampshire. Este fue uno de los mayores logros personales de su vida lo cual le permitió ayudar a muchos inmigrantes como él.

A Santiago Roberto Mena lo sobreviven su querida esposa Gladys, su hijo Roberto Lázaro, su hija María Elena y sus cuatro nietos: Antoine R. Mena, Gabriela Payano Mena, Mason V. Mena-Wells, y Jacqueline R. Mena.

La lealtad, el amor y la nostalgia por Cuba de Santiago Roberto Mena la recordamos por su admiración al musico cubano Benny More. Roberto rendirá tributo a quien llamaban “El Barbara del Ritmo” en cada uno de sus momentos de felicidad, los cuales amenizaba cantando a su manera la canción “Cienfuegos”, obra musical del Benny que muy profundo le llegaba al corazón.

Cienfuegos es la ciudad

Que mas me gusta a mí.

Cuando a Cienfuegos llegue

Y esa ciudad quise verla

Ya que la llaman “La Perla”

Mi amigo, ahora les diré por que

Una cienfueguera me dijo,

Benny More, en una tarde de mayo

Alla por Pasacaballo

Con el rumbo hacia Rancho Luna

Ella me dio una rotunda en amor

Y en Cienfuegos me quede

Ya tú lo ves.

Comparecemos ante sus cenizas con las bendiciones de Dios para su familia, amigos y todos los que lo recordamos. Con sentido respeto le deseamos a Santiago Roberto Mena, que descanse en paz, “tranquilo y sereno” como el solía decir. Roguemos a Dios que acoja en su gloria eterna a Santiago Roberto Mena.