Richard Acosta Guerrero

Richard was born in New York, but was raised in Arroyo, Puerto Rico. He was a loving husband, father, brother, son, grandfather, and friend. He was married to Clara “Gloria” Acosta for 62 years, until she passed away in 2018. He had two children; a son, Richard Acosta Jr. (passed away in1996 at the age of 38) and daughter Gloria Eileen “Tutu” Davitt of Orlando, Fl. He is survived by his daughter Eileen, his son-in-law Steven Davitt, and two grandsons Richard John Acosta and Dominick Anthony Davitt, all from Florida. His Sister, Miriam Acosta Soto, and her 3 daughters-Nieces Daireen (2 daughters), Lineliz, (2 daughters) and Geanette (2 sons). Sister, Mirta V Acosta Soto very recently deceased and her 2 daughters, Nieces Mirgrelis (2 sons and 1 daughter) and Mara (with 2 daughters, and 1 granddaughter) all from Puerto Rico. Niece, Norma Rodriguez, her husband Norberto Rodriguez and (2 children, Thomas Rodriguez of Cape Coral, Fl with son Eric Rodriguez and family from Avon Park, Fl). and daughter Viviana De Arce of Avon Park, with (2 children Joseph and Daniel both from Fl). Niece Brunhilda “Bruny” Acosta with (1 son Sincere “Billy” of Miami, Fl) Richard was an exceedingly kind, patient, friendly and giving person. He was always laid back and was a go with the flow, kind of guy. He seldom raised his voice, complained or made a fuss. Well, except maybe when the dodgers lost or when he yelled capicu in dominoes. People enjoyed having him around. He was a pleasure to be with, always generous with his time and his money and always willing to lend a hand. He would always get phone calls from family and friends saying they needed help lifting something, installing something, or picking up something. He would always run over to help, he loved to be useful and to stay busy. He once admitted it felt good to be needed. He was a funny guy, love to laugh and joke around. He asked every year for Christmas or a calendar that had jokes and puns for every day of the year. He always liked to start his day with a laugh. He very much enjoyed reading the newspaper and did that every day while sitting having his coffee and pastries in the morning. It was his tradition. Richard lived with his father and siblings in Arroyo, Puerto Rico, working as a fisherman with his father until the age of 18 when he left to enlist in the U.S. Army. He always said that being a soldier was one of the things he was most proud of; his faithful service to his country. He honorably served in the U.S. Army in the Korean War and then later as a reservist. He served as a machine gunner with the 65th infantry regiment; known as the Borinqueneer’s. Because of the regiments’ incredible bravery and sacrifice in the face of huge adversity, not just fighting the war itself, buy also showing great strength of character and honor, fighting discrimination within the ranks as well. Because his regiment persevered and succeeded in spite of incredible odds, The 65th infantry regiment was recognized for their achievements by being awarded the US Congressional Gold Medal that signed into law by President Obama in 2016. In addition, Richard was one of the 9 Borinqueneer’s who advocated for the Establishment of the National Borinqueneer’s day that honors all the Borinqueneer’s every year on April 13th. After returning to Puerto Rico after the war, he returned home, where he met and married his wife. After marrying Gloria in 1956, they moved to New York. There both of his children were born. In the late 1960’s they moved the family to Orlando, Fl. They never moved anywhere else. They made a life here. Formal education was never important to him. Although he earned a certificate to be an X-Ray technician, he never worked in the field. Richard chose to be a laborer all his life because he loved working with his hands and being active. His favorite regular job was as a painter, helping to paint the attractions in Fantasyland at the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World. After Disney he made ski boats and then for more than 25 years, he manufactured cardboard boxes. When he wasn't working with his hands at his job, he was home tinkering in his house. He spent several years volunteering at St. John Vianney Catholic Church. So, what did he do there? He helped run the bingo games every Friday night. He would sit on the stage and call out the numbers. He really enjoyed doing that. Every time he called out the number I-22 he would always say Tutu in my honor. He was a loyal fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team and had rooted for them since they were in Brooklyn. He loved many other things too, like playing Domino's with his family and anything to do with the ocean or pools; whether it be sailing on a boat, swimming in the water or fishing. He was a big fan of actress Sophia Loren, the musical group the Platters, and Pierre Cardan cologne. Eating was one of his favorite things to do as well. Even though he wasn't a big guy, he ate like he was two people. He loved all Spanish food, eating BBQ ribs, chicken, And all types of seafood. Every morning, he would start the day with coffee and pastries. During his younger years he was a social butterfly, spending every weekend with his friends and family having fun, playing dominoes, listening to Spanish music, and dancing; even though he wasn't much of a dancer, he still loved doing it. He knew all of his neighbors by name and even knew the names of the employees at the grocery store and the other businesses that he frequented. He loved to play the lottery and played every day for years. He won Fantasy Five twice, but it wasn’t for much, because the prize was split with several other winners. But he didn’t mind, he was simply happy to have been playing. People were always happy to see him and he enjoyed interacting with them, it was so easy for him to make friends. He was a dog lover and loved playing with all his pets including peewee, CB (short for Charlie Brown), lucky and Kaylee. When walking with his dogs what's up around the neighborhood, he would always stop at his neighbors’ houses for them to interact with the dog he knew everybody around the block and everybody knew them. He loved to travel but seldom went anywhere. So, when he did go somewhere he really enjoyed it. Trips to the beach were his favorite. As he grew older, he became much more introverted. Yet, he was still content With his life, still kind, still the same sweet guy he had always been. He was always a simple guy, never really asked for much, he just took life as it came. He simply just accepted things as they were never complaining. Even recently, when his health deteriorated and he needed to move into a nursing home, he still was the same sweet and gentle guy. Although he flirted shamelessly with the nurses and staff, he still manage to win their hearts. I once overheard a nurse calling him Mr. Adorable. That says it all. I couldn’t have said it better myself. I guess to sum it all up, my dad was a wonderful person, husband, father, son, brother, grandfather, and friend. The Lord blessed us to Allow us to have him for 92 wonderful years. There are many people who cared for him and will miss him. Ask his daughter, I will miss him most of all. But if I had to say the one special thing about my dad that I will miss most? It is when he called me “Tutu”.

Richard Acosta Guerrero

May 3, 1933 - August 24, 2025