"Pipe La Fe," an emblematic character from Isla de la Juventud, has died

The death of "Pipe La Fe," a man who for years became one of the most recognizable popular figures in Isla de la Juventud, has sparked numerous messages of sorrow and memories among residents and those who previously lived in the territory.

The news was shared on Facebook by Ronald Velázquez Pérez, who reminded everyone that they grew up together and described Pipe as a person who maintained a child-like innocence throughout his life.

According to his account, since childhood he was known for playing with the neighborhood kids and pushing them on the "chivichanas." Over the years, he became a regular presence on the streets of Pine Island, particularly between La Fe and Nueva Gerona, a route he often walked.

"Few of us knew his true name, but he became a legendary figure in the world of Pinar del Río under the name Pipe La Fe," Velázquez wrote as he bid farewell to his friend.

The post sparked a flood of messages from people who claim to have known him or crossed paths with him over the years. Many agree in remembering him as a calm, kind, and beloved man.

"One of the legends of Pinar, which no one has written about, but the people will always remember for being very noble, helpful, and charismatic," expressed an internet user.

Others simply defined him as a "legend of La Fe" and asserted that "the people of the island" will miss him.

Memories repeat across generations. Some recalled their long walks; others, the times when they offered him money or food, and some remembered him in everyday places in Nueva Gerona.

In another post about his passing, a woman recalled that Pipe used to walk through her neighborhood saying "mami, leche y pan," while another Cuban noted that it was common to see him walking from La Fe to Gerona.

One of the messages summarized the place that Pipe came to occupy in the collective memory of the Isle of Youth: "If you’re from the Isle and didn’t know Pipe, then you’re not a pinero."

There were also those who referred to him as "a beloved person by the people of Pinero" and "an iconic figure of the Isle of Youth."

So far, the consulted publications have not provided Pipe's full name, age, or the cause of his death. One of the comments mentions that he suffered from an illness, but does not provide details that would allow us to determine what health issue he had or to connect it to his death.

His passing thus leaves a succession of personal memories that sketch the story of a man without official notoriety, yet whose everyday presence ultimately turned him into a part of the popular memory of generations of Pineros.