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Friday, January 23rd 2009 [ versión español ]
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UPRM paid homage to don Juan Cintrón Barbosa, founder of the Labor Federation. |
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In front of the José de Diego Building of the University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez (UPRM) it seemed as if the sun was shining brighter than ever, as if they were going to announce a very important event. Nature doesn’t make mistakes. In that exact spot, they paid tribute to the life of Juan Cintrón Barbosa, an eternal member of UPRM whose time as president and founder of the UPRM Employee’s Labor Federation left a permanent legacy at the institution.
Don Juan passed away January 20, 2009 and UPRM paid homage to him in front of the symbolic university building in which he worked for 40 years.
“Those who have faith, such as the faith this family has, are convinced that life is not defeated by death, that we will not be able to enjoy the physical presence of Juan among us for a short time, but eventually, we are convinced, that we will meet again in the future,” said UPRM chancellor, doctor Jorge I. Vélez Arocho, in front of the coffin of the work leader.
Should I disappear from thoughts because I have disappeared from view? I am waiting for you… it will only be for a little while. Very close to you, right around the corner. Everything is all right. Those are the final lines of a poem that Vélez Arocho shared with those present and explained that it symbolized that, “death cannot have the final word.”
President of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), Antonio García Padilla, sent a memo to the entire university community, sharing the work of don Juan.
“The University administration takes many forms. All require, depending on the particular condition of each one, the same identification and dedication to academic values and services that nurture the noble and generous agenda of the institution. This determined community daily weaves the work of the University. Don Juan understood this truth; simple at its roots, and fruitful. More than understanding it, he embodied it, lived it in the four decades that he worked at the University until 1997. He assumed and exercised admirable responsibility, tenacity and efficacy in his role as labor leader. That is how he achieved, along with members of the Federation, a valuable contribution to the life of the institutional. You just have to pass the UPRM gates to appreciate in the physical environment an important part of his work,” read an excerpt from the written work of García Padilla.
José A. Frontera Agenjo, UPRM Dean of Administration, expressed his condolences to the family of the syndicate’s leader.
“Don Juan fought to promote justice, righteousness in public service and sincere delivery of the work of the institution. These values are reflected in his children and family, who are known for their selfless and outstanding performance by the university community. That his memory will be motivation for all of us who work at the institution to emulate his example of service to the institution,” expressed the Dean in a memo.
Don Juan began working at UPRM in 1957 as a messenger in the Biology Department. Later he worked as the superintendent, a position that he held until retiring in 1997. According to information compiled by the Federation, on one occasion a faculty member commented to don Juan, “we are lacking a leader who will lift us up,” he responded, “here is your leader.”
That is how the negotiations began to organize the Federation in 1966 and in 1968 the Department of Labor recognized the organization as a trade union. He acted as president of the organization from 1968 to 1997.
“I always listened to his advice and his voice. In the name of every member of the Labor Federation, thank you very much don Juan Cintrón. What we have today we owe to this man, a founding hero of this Federation,” said Jorge Echevarría, with a broken up voice, who is the current president of the syndicate which includes more than 400 UPRM employees.
He added that he was a humanitarian that was known for listening and attending to the needs of others. Don Juan was born in September 22, 1934. He was married to Socorro Bracero Ramírez. He had 13 children, four adopted, 26 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
May he rest in piece, while his work remains.
Audio segment
 Homenaje póstumo a don Juan Cintrón en el Colegio.
UPRM chancellor, Jorge I. Vélez Arocho, expressed his condolences to the family of he union leader.
In the first row, the family members of don Juan.
Jorge Echevarría, current president of the Labor Federation, gave his gratitude to the legacy that don Juan left.
The Corium Canticus choir interpreted the UPRM anthem.
Photos by Carlos Díaz / UPRM Press
[View] Photo Gallery of the don Juan Cintrón Barbosa archive
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