Porfirio Esparra 1927-2024

Fiyo was born Sept. 15, 1927, in Coamo, Puerto Rico, to parents Saturnino Esparra and Felipa Martinez. He was drafted into the United States Army Infantry in 1953, shipped to the Canal Zone in Panama during the Korean War, and subsequently awarded the National Defense Service Medal. In 1955, he was transferred to the Army Reserve in Camp Losey, Puerto Rico.

Fiyo married the love of his life, Eufemia “Nin” Vasquez Agosta, on Jan. 9, 1953, and for 72 years, they traveled the world together. He was employed as a steelworker for Youngstown Sheet and Tube, and also worked as a barber, tax preparer and Spanish teacher at the Mahoning County Vocational School.

An accomplished guitarist, Fiyo joined his first band in 1950, playing at parties and on radio stations in Puerto Rico. In 1951, his bandmates convinced him to relocate to Youngstown, where there were plenty of labor jobs and opportunities to continue playing Latino music gigs. While in the Army, he continued playing in bands with his military buddies.

He was a founding member of his original church parish, Santa Rosa De Lima, fulfilling the need to create a Spanish-speaking parish for the influx of Puerto Ricans that continued to migrate to the Mahoning Valley.

In 1960, he began playing his guitar during Mass, where his family would later join him to form a choir. He continued to be a faithful contributor to the church, including serving on parish council, finance committee, festival chairman, choir director, Cursillo and marriage encounter.

His contributions to the Puerto Rican community extended far beyond the church walls. He was instrumental in the formation of organizations including Sons of Borinquen Social Club and the Organization Civica y Cultural American, serving as a board member for both.

In 1980, he formed the musical group Chicas Y Compania, performing with his children at events all across the eastern United States for seven years. In his “Guitar Musician Memoir,” he wrote, “In my trajectory as a musician, playing with my children in Chicas has been the most gratifying and enjoyable experience.”

Fiyo will be deeply missed and always remembered by his wife, Eufemia; his children, Rosa (Bob Buchanan) Esparra of Sylvania, Porfirio (Sandy) Esparra Jr. of Youngstown, Leticia Esparra-Gonzalez of Campbell, Diana (Tom Parry) Esparra of Youngstown, Elsa (Ray Garcia) Esparra of Navarre, Florida, Reynaldo “Reyno” (Nancy) Esparra of Boardman, Lydia (Greg Truhan) Esparra of Strongsville, Anabel (Jim Collins) Esparra of Poland and Lilian (Craig Maddox) Esparra of Bay Village; his brother, Jorge Esparra of Holyoke, Massachusetts; 34 grandchildren; 33 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Fiyo was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Minerva “Memby” Esparra-Saver; his brothers, Jesus, Trinidad and Olympio Esparra; his sisters, Firmia Esparra-Martinez and Lydia Esparra.

The Esparra family would like to thank all of the incredible caregivers from Home Instead, Patriot Home Health and Patriot Hospice, including his primary healthcare doctor, and all of the specialists who cared for our father as if he were their family member.

The Esparra family has entrusted their loved one to the care of the Wasko Funeral Home in Campbell and will receive friends and family 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 3, 2025, at the Cathedral Parish of St. Columba in Youngstown, with the Rev. Frasseti Davis O.P., officiating. Everyone is invited to meet directly at the cathedral on Friday for the Mass.

Porfirio will be laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Cemetery in Lowellville with full military honors by Ellsworth VFW Post 9571.

Please visit www.waskofamily.com to view this obituary and to leave condolences to the family.

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