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 sadness and memories among residents and those who previously lived in the area.
The news was shared on Facebook by Ronald Velázquez Pérez, who recalled that they grew up together and described Pipe as a person who maintained a childlike innocence throughout his life.
According to his account, he was known since childhood for playing with the neighborhood children and pushing them on the "chivichanas." As the years went by, he became a familiar presence on the streets of Pinar del Río, 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 pineapple industry under the name Pipe La Fe," Velázquez wrote as he bid farewell to his friend.
The post triggered an avalanche of messages from people claiming 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 Pine Island that no one has written about, but the people will always remember for being very noble and helpful, charismatic," expressed an internet user.
Others simply defined him as a "legend of La Fe" and stated that "the people of the island" will miss him.
Memories are passed down through generations. Some recalled their long walks; others, the times when they offered him money or food, and others 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 "mom, milk, and bread," while another Cuban noted that it was common to see him walking from La Fe to Gerona.
One of the messages summarized the place Pipe came to hold in the collective memory of the Isle of Youth: "If you are from the Isle and didn't know Pipe, then you are not a pinero."
There were also those who described 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 it does not provide details that would clarify what health issue he had or relate it to his death.
His passing thus leaves a succession of personal memories that outline the story of a man without official notoriety, but whose daily presence ultimately turned him into a part of the popular memory of generations of residents of Pine Island.
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