Juan Awais Ziedes

Juan Awais Ziedes (1904-1972)

He was born in Chahtoul, Lebanon on November 27, 1904. As so many other immigrants, his desire to succeed and to know the world, took him to America, gravitating towards Cuba arriving in Güines in 1929. He worked very hard during those first years, at the beginning selling clothing, a job customarily performed by Arab immigrants and with his natural intelligence, tenacity and honesty, he got into the agricultural business in Güines, primary source of wealth of the region, being one of the more respected, important and known traders in corn and potatoes.

Several years later after his arrival, he met a young woman Josefa Barquet, also of Lebanese ancestry, from a long established family in our Villa for several generations, marrying her on July 27, 1935, creating a family of deep Christian roots, having the solidity and strength of the ancient cedars of Lebanon so representatives of his native country.

Years of honest work followed, unlimited sacrifices, happiness and sadness in the struggle of life and in the task of having his family created from this union, advance. He dedicated himself to the agricultural business and to buy and sell agricultural products where he completely succeeded helped already by his sons Juan and Pedro. He owned, among others, a small farm at the entrance of Güines called La Angelita (The Little She Angel). He opened a grocery market in the beautiful building he constructed in the corner of Fraga and Seventh Streets in Fraga Urban Development that provided service for many years to its ample population. He invested in real estate in Güines, reaching the economic independence and prosperity for which he worked so hard since his first years in Cuba.

Josefa, his wife during all of his adult life, predeceased him on February 3, 1969 but he did not draw back after this severe blow, continuing as always as the central figure of his family. He loved Cuba his second country, with fervor and fought at all moments on behalf of Güines progress throughout his useful life.

As so many other immigrants who provided honor and progress to Cuba, he was able to create and build in Güines, offering honest jobs to hundreds of families who worked in his farms and businesses. He amalgamated with body and soul into Güines society and needless to say Güines accepted him as another native son, as a Güinero of always leaving his seed well planted in the beautiful Mayabeque valley. His children, Rosa, Juan and Pedro, two of them professionals and the third one a farmer. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren that following the example and tradition of the Lebanese grandfather gave and continue to give Güines luster and prestige.

The unstoppable march of life caused this old and solid cedar of Lebanon to topple down in the Villa that he so much loved on August 5, 1972.

Continue to: Cristina Ayala