Juan Lugardo, of Wilmington, Delaware, was called home to our Lord, on July 23, 2022, surrounded by his children, at the age 85. Papi, Papa or Papawelo, as many called him, is at rest and walking alongside his wife, parents and siblings and keeping a watchful eye over his family with a strict vigilance. Juan was born on October 21, 1936, in Quebrada, Puerto Rico, to Emiliano Lugardo and Flora Rivera.

Juan’s interests and hobbies included taking care of the family with a very firm and strict personality, selling and trading cars, property investments, fishing, cooking, playing cards & dominoes, watching & playing baseball, and pool, watching wrestling, old westerns & game shows and going to Delaware Park. He enjoyed going to family events with his wife and children where he could dance and listen to music and partake in fun with his friends.

Juan worked at Howard Johnsons, The Wilmington Housing Authority, The Wilmington Country Club and ran his family-owned grocery store.

Juan touched the lives of many people and will be deeply missed by all his family and many friends. Although rarely shown, the love for his family was felt in the way he made sure that they had all they needed and shared his Catholic beliefs while always safely watching over them. He always gave of himself selflessly so that family and friends would not suffer hardships. He had a deep sense of humor and was always up for a good joke. Juan was always ready for a good hand of gin rummy and dominoes and always happy when he was the winner. Dad would reminisce about his younger days and how he grew up and the many people he met on his way to adulthood. He loved the land and making things grow. He was a lover of animals and always took care of wounded ones; we always had a lot of pets. He had the ability to be quick with numbers and was able to solve financial issues very quickly. The biggest love of his life was his wife. She was his friend, his confidant, his caregiver but most of all the mother to his children.

Juan was preceded in death by his parents, Emiliano Lugardo and Flora Rivera; his wife of 64 years, Candida Lugardo, Francisco Lugardo; and his siblings, Esther Lugardo, Cruz Lugardo and Francisco A. Quiles.

Juan is survived by his children, Maritza (Jose), Blanca (Jose), Ana, Juan Jr. and Gloria (Miguel) as well as his grandchildren, Maira (Danny), Roberto (Alex), Sonia (Ramon), Marcos, Wendy, Landi, Pedro, Lissette (Jeff), Jose, Juan (Brittany), Pito, Solei, Jessica, Cristian (Miriam) and Calea; his great grandchildren, Aliyah, Brianna, Blanca, Giovanni, Juan-Juan. Roberto III, Ramon Jr., Jayden, Kaliana, Ariam, Lalita, Jadiel, Jafetmael, Caleb and Benito.

Juan spent his recent years in company of his wife, children and great grandchildren, doing the things that he loved to do.

As the children of Juan and Candida we considered ourselves rich because of the values that were instilled in us and the love that abounded in our home.