Demetrio Perez, Jr. August 7, 1945 - March 10, 2023

Miami, Florida school uniforms, creating a closed lunch policy in high schools, air-conditioning public school buses and adding to the State of Florida’s U.S. History curriculum a requirement that it include the achievements of Hispanics in the United States.

He also directed the annual Jose Marti Parade in Miami, which brought together children from public and private schools to honor the legacy of Cuban patriot Jose Marti.

In addition to his work as an educator and public servant, Demetrio was a journalist who founded LIBRE, a weekly newspaper, in 1966, to serve the Miami Hispanic community. And for more than 30 years, he hosted a weekly radio talk show on Radio Mambí, where he produced daily inspirational radio commentaries that were also shared with thousands of email subscribers.

Survivors include his son, Demetrio J. Perez, Esq. and his wife Susan; grandchildren, Sofia Perez, Demetrio “DJ” Perez and Nicolas Perez; and his companion, Maria C. Rodriguez.

A public viewing will be held between 6 and 11 p.m. on Friday, March 17th at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn Westchester funeral home, 8200 Bird Road, Miami, Florida 33155. The funeral mass will take place at 11 a.m., Saturday, March 18th, at Trinity Cathedral, 464 NE 16th Street, Miami, Florida 33132. Burial to follow at Woodlawn Park Cemetery, 3260 SW 8th Street, Miami, Florida 33135.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lincoln-Marti Community Agency., Inc., to support its mission to provide high quality educational services to underserved populations:www.lincolnmarti.com/donate