When I was born, my dad was a chief engineer in the merchant marine. He used to run the car ferry between Key West, Florida, and Havana, Cuba. Of course when Cuba changed drastically, there was no more car ferry.

When we moved to Tampa he was able to convince the Mayor that the town needed a chief mechanical inspector. He always believed in creating your own job by finding what you really like to do and convincing someone else that they needed you. My dad’s ashes are scattered right there in that Ocean. (Aldo points out to the sea off the Coast of Todos Santos, Baja California, Mexico.)

My dad and I were close. My dad spoke highly of how much fun it was working on the Cuba ferry. I never got over there but I certainly intend to.