Obituary of Louis Raphael Miranda

Louis Raphael Miranda Sr. Born September 25, 1919 in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Flora Miranda. Being denied his father's acknowledgment, Louis took his Mother's maiden name. He had 5 step siblings: Alberto, Manolin, Ernesto, and Virhenmina- all preceded him in death; his sister Candita lives in Ohio. Louis grew up in the barrios of Ponce, helping to make ends meet by doing odd jobs for store owners throughout the pueblo. In addition, he was part of the crew that built the first baseball fields in Ponce. Nicknamed "Paquito" he moved to New York to expand his singing career. Lead singer for Genio Alegre and Trio Los Minalosas, Paquito made a good career as a local nightclub singer. During his early years in New York he met Maria Amelia Murphy at church. They courted and were engaged for 5 years before they were married on Christmas Eve 1941. Louis left for WWII the next morning. Sgt. Miranda was a member of the 39th infantry which was first to touch land in Africa and succeeded in their assault throughout North Africa and the Middle East. Honorably discharged in 1944, he returned to New York and his bride. As they settled into family life, he started up his singing career once again and to make ends meet, he also worked as a florist. Their first child Louis Jr. was born in 1945, second son Roberto was born in 1946 and a daughter Yolanda was adopted in 1964. Paquito got the opportunity to move to Hollywood in the 1950's to try his hand at an acting career. He was featured as a singer in two movies: "The Left Handed Gun" and "The Naked and the Dead". Refusing to change his name or religion, Paquito left the movie industry and studied to become an electrician. He took a job with the Department of Water and Power for the next 30 years until he retired in 1982. Later on he and Mary moved to Sacramento where they lived out their Golden years. A devoted husband, Paquito took care of Mary after her stroke in 1994 and continued to care for her at home for 10 years. After that, he would visit his wife at the care facility on a daily basis until her passing in 2009. Louis is survived by his sons Louis Jr. and Roberto, daughter Yolanda, sister Candita, grandchildren, Alicia, Ciara, Miguel, Jared & Justus, as well as many nephews, nieces, family and friends. He always had a song to sing, a helping hand to give, and a dirty joke's punch line to screw up! You never left his house empty handed and you never left without a smile. Paquito told us that when he leaves this earth, he would be glad for his life and looks forward to the next song and dance with his love Mary Amelia. "You see darling, there are other worlds to sing in..." May the kindness and happiness he shared throughout his life be a blessing to you all, and May God keep you in His Grace.