Dr. Rafael Nobo

Bartow - Dr. Rafael Jacinto Nobo, 87, passed away September 29, 2007 at Good Shepherd Hospice, Auburndale of congestive heart failure. He was born October 24, 1919 in Havana, Cuba to Esther Pividal who raised him as a single-mother with the help of his beloved grandmother, Maria Castella. An excellent student, Rafael would go on to receive his medical degree from the University of Havana in 1944. In that same year he married Maria Teresa Palacio and they had two children, Maria and Rafael, Jr. In 1960, when Castro came to power, Rafael moved his family to the United States. Forced to begin his career anew, and with very little knowledge of English, Rafael became a physician's assistant in a Columbus, Ohio, hospital, while revalidating his medical license. Doctors there knew about his surgical expertise. When a patient's heart stopped during surgery they called on Rafael to help resuscitate him with the same technique that he had successfully used once during a surgery in Cuba to save a 26-year-old woman's life. It worked and his revalidation process was sped up. Upon the revalidation of his medical license, Rafael moved his family to Polk County in 1963 where he worked as Chief Surgeon for Polk County General Hospital until 1967 when he joined the medical practice of Caswell, Coury, Miller, Nobo, while also serving as Chief Surgeon for Bartow Memorial Hospital. He would serve Bartow and Polk County in that position until his retirement in 1994. Rafael's goodness drew so many people to him. He was loved dearly by his family and friends who will dearly miss his caring nature and serene presence. He is survived by his wife, Maria Theresa "Beba" Nobo of Bartow; daughter Maria Garcia & husband, Mario of Tampa; son Dr. Rafael J. Nobo, Jr. & wife Laura of Bartow; grandchildren, Mario Garcia & wife Tammy; Brian Garcia & wife Michelle; Anna Barravecchio & husband Dan; Elena Lazaro & husband Danny Lazaro & Christopher Nobo all of Tampa; Rafael Nobo & wife Lisa of Orlando & Laura Nobo of Jacksonville & 9 great grandchildren, Brianna, Max, Ty, Sophia, Michael, Danny, Angelina, Jack and Frankie. Family will receive friends 6-8 PM Tuesday, Oct. 2, 2007 at Whidden-McLean Funeral Home, 650 E. Main St. Bartow. Services will be held 10:30 AM Wed, Oct 3 at St. Thomas Catholic Church, 2180 S. Kissingen Ave, Bartow. Interment will be in Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow. Memorials contributions may be made to Good Shepherd Hospice, 105 Arneson Ave, Auburndale, FL 33823. Condolences to family at www.whiddenmcleanfuneralhome.com