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News Alert: Jose Padron, Founder of Padron Cigars, Dead at 91

On December 5th, 2017, Jose Orlando Padron, the founder of Padron Cigars, Inc., passed away at the age of 91. He founded his Padron Cigars in 1964 after immigrating from Cuba. Just a few weeks ago, he published his autobiography, Memorable Moments in My Life, which is available for pre-order on the Padron Cigars website.

Below is the official notice of Mr. Padron’s death posted on the Padron Cigars website. Cheers to a leader in the cigar industry who made great cigars and only great cigars.

 

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of our father, Padrón Family patriarch and founder of Padrón Cigars, José Orlando Padrón.

José Orlando had a favorite quote by Cuban poet José Martí, “Men are divided into two groups: those who love and create and those who hate and destroy.”

José Orlando Padrón was a man who loved and created. He built a loving family. He built an extended family of employees, in Nicaragua and the United States, whom he loved and respected. After immigrating from Cuba, he founded a small family business in Miami in 1964. He built it into an international company, creating one of the most respected cigar brands in the world. He built a legacy.

He never forgot his simple roots in the countryside of Cuba and as a poor refugee in a new country. He was grateful to those who helped him in times of need and through his toughest challenges. It is why he remained humble and committed to giving back. He turned his gratitude into the Padrón Family Foundation, so he could help others the same way he was helped.

To quote one of Martí’s famous aphorisms, “There are three things that each person should do during his lifetime: plant a tree, have a child, and write a book.” Having lived an accomplished and loving life, José Orlando achieved all three.

He loved his family. He loved his native Cuba and his adopted countries of Nicaragua and the United States. He loved God. He loved life. He loved a good cigar and sharing it with friends.

He leaves behind his wife Florinda, his children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and great-grandchildren as well as his extended family of trusted employees and friends whom he loved like family. He spent years preparing us for this moment and we will carry on the traditions and lessons he passed on. We will strive every day to live like he did, carry on his name and make him proud.

Rest In Peace, Papi.

c.gar

c.gar loves all things cigar-related. He typically falls in love with cigars that are discontinued shortly thereafter. His first cigar was a Swisher Sweet with a wood tip. Sadly, these are still in production.

One thought on “News Alert: Jose Padron, Founder of Padron Cigars, Dead at 91

  • Rosalie Mead

    The apple does not fall far from the tree.

    I just read an article in a cigar magazine about José Orlando and his life, and statements discribing the kind of man he was.
    I just felt I had to write to Jorge, his son, to tell him of an experience my husband and I had on the street in Miami.
    We were leaving a restaurant , and a lovely couple were sitting out front having a drink and the gentleman was smoking a cigar.
    As we passed, I said to the man that my husband was going back to our hotel to do the same thing. He motioned us over and told his wife to give us a cigar. She reached in her purse, pulled out a cigar and handed it to my husband. It was a Padrón.
    I told the gentleman that my husband drives 45 minutes to Milan cigar club in Roanoke Va just to smoke and buy his cigars.
    The gentleman then told us he was familiar with the shop and his father started selling to this family years ago in Miami.
    Like father , like son. We enjoyed this encounter and speak of it often.
    Thank you Jorge and we know how proudly you will continue the family business.
    Thank you also for the great cigar.
    Rosalie Mead
    Penhook, Va

    Reply

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