Lazaro St. Maria

Lazaro St. Maria died May 16, 2011 at Winter Haven Hospital of heart failure.

Born in 1926, Guanabacoa, Havana, Cuba to Alberto and Dahlia Blain St. Maria. He came to the states (New York City) in 1947 and was drafted in the army at the beginning of the Korean Conflict. He decided to make the army his career and retired a much decorated officer in 1973. He served two tours in Vietnam and among his assignments was as a bilingual instructor at the School of the Americas in Panama.

He was of the Catholic faith, a member of the Military Officers Association, Reserve Officers Association, and N.R.A. He retired from Proctor & Gamble in 1986, where he was a supervisor.

He was preceded in death by his beloved children, Norman Blain St. Maria, and Rene St. Maria. Survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary St. Maria; son, Gregory L. St. Maria of Babson Park; daughters, Nanette Jammal and Michelle St. Maria, both of Tampa; seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

A service will be held 10:30 AM Monday, May 23, 2011 at the Marion Nelson Funeral Home, Lake Wales with Father Anthony Bluett officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell at 2:30 PM with full military honors.