06/21/2026
My dad’s was that quiet anchor in a stormy world, He seemed to hold everything together while teaching us how to stand on our own and he never seemed to need anything to be that brave warrior. Let me give you a brief summary of my dad. My father Alcides Betancourt (named after Greek mythology) translates directly to “of strength” or “strength”. It comes from the Greek root “bravery.” Brave like him is the significance of his name —in my eyes. And I think if you knew him well enough you would agree that being around him gave you a certain amount of security and reassurance.
He was skilled in almost everything yet smart, humble and kind. Despite his wealthy upbringing he was taught you still have to earn your worth. He was admirable in that he was sent to the U.S. to study where his brothers became a doctor and the other an engineer, dad chose to go to aviation school in Miami and become a pilot and an aircraft mechanic, that which he loved! He also wrote poetry much of his life.
He returned to Cuba on days off. During this time I have to say mom told us and romanticized stories of him surprising her and flying his Cessna over her rooftop to announce his visit. His Cessnas, he owned two-were his professional toys. They served him to be part of the family ranch and cattle business by performing aircraft extermination as well as privately flying people to Miami from Camaguey, Cuba. When I referred previously to stormy times has to do with my memories. I was 2 years old when the revolution started this meant our family lost everything during the time in 1959 with the expropriation of assets. No more Cessnas, no more ranch. All he was left with was his brains and his honor. A monetary transaction (which was illegal to them although it was their money) to my grandfather who had fled communism early caused both dad and mom to go to jail. It’s a long story… eventually years later we left to Spain. My love of music was instilled by my father he took guitar lessons after being released from prison unable to leave the country for many years. His resilience, confidence, work ethics I celebrate. I was lucky I had the BEST father.
