Angel Acosta

Acosta, Angel Manuel Amilcar, joined his wife, Benedicta, which preceded him in death, on Friday, August 11, 2022, in the late morning, at the age of 99. Angel was born in Baracoa, a providence of Oriente, Cuba. While Cuban blood coursed through his veins, he was a proud American, acknowledging the opportunity this county offered him, his wife, and his extended family. During his youth in Cuba, Angel enjoyed swimming, fishing, and anything outdoors. Angel is the youngest boy and last surviving of 7 brothers and sisters. At the age 13, he became a ham radio operator in Cuba. He remained an avid ham, preferring CW (morse code) even though he spoke 5 languages. His ham call sign was WA4-ZIQ. He could send and receive over 60 words per minute using morse code. In his last 40 years, his friends and family could always count on being maneuvered into his pride and joy; the radio room. There he would display his radios abilities communicating around the world as they sat around his desk. Unknowing to them, he held court and offered inspiration and guidance to the young or had a good laugh with friends. He spent countless hours speaking to people all over the world. At times, his hobby would interfere with the neighborhood's television reception, leaving his wife to deal with the phone calls as he continued his hobby unabated. He had stacks of QSTs piled on each other like playing cards; they covered the better part of an entire wall. QSTs are postcards ham radio operators would mail to each memorializing the connection, details about the conversation, and the specific frequency used. Angel graduated from Havana University with his Bachelor's Degree in Arts, but learning became a lifelong passion. He continued his education after arriving in the United States by attending George T. Baker Aviation School, in Miami, in 1960, where he earned certificates in MIG/TIG welding. At the time, MIG/TIG was barely a 10-year-old welding technology. His one and only Son, Anthony (Tony), would follow in his footsteps by attending the same aviation school 21 years later. Angel and his wife, Benedicta, moved to Chicago, Illinois, following his graduation from George T. Baker Aviation. He used his newly acquired skills, as a welder, to be subcontracted to the United States Navy while pursuing a refrigeration engineering degree. Angel completed his training and education as a Refrigeration Engineer in the late 60s. By 1969, he oversaw refrigeration repairs for a quarter of Chicago's meat packing industry as the engineer of record. He returned to Miami in 1971 and turned to welding in Port Everglades shipyards. Then, his wife urged him to apply for welding job openings at Eastern Airlines. Reluctantly, he applied but was hired as a welder in 1972. He would later receive advanced training in aviation welding sponsored by the airlines. Angel discovered another passion through his son. His Son was allowed to join the Cub Scouts in 1972, and Angel was quite content being the additional driver to events or the extra chaperone on outings. However, when his son crossed into Boy Scouts, Angel was approached to take on an official leadership role in the troop. He served as Troop Committee Member, Assistant Scoutmaster of Troop 612, 384, and 1776, and then as a Scoutmaster of the revived Troop 612. As a result, he earned the Scouter's Training Award and the Scoutmaster's Key as an adult leader. His grandsons William and Henry, and Granddaughter Jade are in Scouts today, supported of their fathers Tony and Joshua. He retired from Eastern Airlines as a hydraulic shop specialist in 1987. He passed on the scouting leadership roles to his Son and turned his attention to his granddaughter and newborn grandson; he was ever-present in their lives and was always available for a friend in need. He has been the sponsor for entry into the United States for too many family members to count. His extended family's opportunity to prosper in the United States is Angel's legacy. He is survived by his Son, Tony, and Daughter-in-law, Tetiana; 6 grandchildren Elizabeth her husband Joshua, Anthony Jr. his wife Jaesha, Alexander, Ashleigh her partner Randi, Emilee, and Meghan; and 5 great-grandchildren, Angelina, Eric, Jade, William, and Henry; and many other family members and friends.