Obituary of Juan Cabrera

Juan Cabrera passed away on December 6, 2013 in Chevy Chase, Md. at the Manor Care Nursing Home. A memorial service was held on Saturday, December 14 in Potomac Maryland and will be followed by a future memorial service to be held in Florida where Mr. Cabrera's ashes will join his parents and brother, the late Juan, Esther and David Cabrera. Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association (http://www.diabetes.org). A native of Santiago de Cuba, Cuba, Juan was born January 5, 1939. It was in Cuba where he obtained the strong foundation for his love of his faith, family, and learning and and it was in his coming to the US in 1960 which enabled him to pursue them in order to impact many throughout his life. Born and raised in the Baptist Church, Juan's faith and love for the Lord was unwavering and served as a core teaching he lived by and that he taught his family. In addition to his faith, Juan's love for his family was one which was was apparent in anyone that spoke to him about his children, grandchildren, and extended family. Always one to have a positive outlook and disposition on life's many uncertainties, Juan applied this same optimism and love for education, as learning was instrumental in his successful career as an engineer and mentor. After obtaining his degree in electrical engineering in Cuba, he pursued a Ph.D. in Energy at Addison State University. After living many years in Florida and then Texas, he pursued a successful career in the DC area where he ran his own business and subsequently worked on many industrial and commercial projects in the area. In addition to his strong service to his faith, family, and career, Juan passionately served his adopted country by serving in the United States Army during Vietnam. Juan spent much of his time devoted to his church, family and friends, and to his award-winning German Shepherds that he bred and raised as one of his main hobbies. A vivacious personality, Juan's wonderful sense of humor, not to mention his talented singing voice, always added levity to any gathering and will be fondly remembered by his family and friends. Juan is survived by his wife, Myriam Bahiman, sons Michael and Moses Cabrera, daughters Miriam and Staley Cabrera, stepdaughter Andrea Nugent and grandchildren Michael, Hector, Michelle, and Alexis Cabrera as well as sister-in-law Nuria Cabrera and nephews David, Juan Manuel and Sergio Cabrera.