Alejandro Curí Fadul

Alejandro Curí Fadul (1895-1972)

He was born on August 22, 1895 in Beirut, Lebanon, a country that during Ancient History was called Phoenicia and whose inhabitants were the first sailors and merchants of the world and that due to its geographic location in the Mediterranean, was a crossroads of Eastern and Western cultures.

At an early age he was orphaned of both father and mother and him and his brothers remained under the guardianship of uncles that although received them with love and protection, did not have enough means to give them a higher education. Since a teenager, Alejandro started to work in a jewelry shop at Beirut’s Gold Market.

Being almost a child, Alejandro already was showing his straight character, his moral values and his goals in life.

At that time, Lebanon was under the control of the Ottoman Empire that was very severe and abusive with the Lebanese people in its majority Christian. It is then that many Lebanese people started to emigrate throughout the world, looking for freedom and a better life.

His teacher in the trade a Mr. Estefan, was already in Cuba at that time and he wrote him urging him to go to work for him in the jewelry store he had already established in Havana. Alejandro plucked up his courage and decided to go to Cuba being only 15 years of age and with very limited economic resources.

After some time of hard work and having saved some money, he wanted to reach his goal of having his own business and he so told Mr. Estefan, letting him know that he would go to a provincial town so he wouldn’t compete with him.

With sufficient economic means and having heard of Güines as a rich and prosperous region, he decided to establish himself in that Villa. One of the first persons he met in Güines was Mr. Miguel Daruna, who was married to an aunt of Regina Francís, that later on became his wife.

As soon as he arrived in Güines, he established his shop on Clemente Fernández Street, whose business since its beginnings was successful. Being so, he wanted to enlarge it and moved it to Havana Street across the church.

Years later, he married the young Regina Francís, also born in Lebanon although raised in Cuba. From that marriage they created a family consisting of six daughters, Olga, Elinor, Loris, Reginita, Marie and Elvirita.

In his business, many young Güinero men learned the difficult jewelry trade, having later on their own businesses such as Daruna brothers and Luis Nasser.

Alejandro Curí was very much loved and respected in Güines and other areas of Cuba due to the nobility of his character, straightforwardness and generosity. He belonged to the boards of the Lions Club, the Rotary Club and had a high degree in the freemasonry fraternity.

He was an excellent husband, father and friend. He helped many poor and needy persons without ever mentioning it.

After he left in exile to live in Beirut, he never lost hope in returning to Cuba, land that he loved as much as his native country.

Alejandro Curí, after receiving the Last Sacraments, died at the American Hospital in Beirut, on January 17, 1972. He is buried in Saint Elías Cemetery in the Lebanese capital.

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