Obituary of Rev. Miguel Ramirez

Rev. Miguel C. Ramirez, 96, died February 24, 2014. He had been a resident of Wesley Health Care Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. He was a resident of Greenwich, NY since December 2010. He was originally from Pearsall, TX. He was born in Brownsville, Texas on August 15, 1917. He was the son of Apolonia Cruz and Cristobal Ramirez. He was predeceased by his wife, Raquel Ramirez. Rev. Ramirez was a retired minister from the Rio Grande Conference of Texas and New Mexico. Prior to his becoming a minister, he was known as a master chef for major hotels in San Antonio, once being celebrated as one of the top ten chefs in the nation. As a minister he was written about in the book Spanish Doorways and there is a video of his beginning ministry in the film “A Measure of Success”. In the Rio Grande Conference he was well known for his accomplishments. While in New York after his retirement, he was guest preacher at Easton United Methodist Church, North Cambridge (The Stump) United Methodist and Centenary United Methodist Church in Greenwich, NY. He was also guest preacher in Manchester, VT. He spent his life after retirement ministering to those in nursing homes. He had a zest for life. At the age of 94 he was out riding four wheelers and tractors. He is survived by his children, Maxine, Dolores, Michael, Linda, Samuel, George, Leo Alan, and Rev. Abraham Ramirez. He has 22 grandchildren and 42 great grandchildren; 2 sisters, Evangelina Quiroz from Florida, Reyes-Guzman from Garland, and a brother Faustino Ramirez who resides in Brownsville, TX. He was predeceased by 2 brothers and one sister. He was a WWII Veteran, belonged to the VFW Post #8936 in San Antonio, and the American Legion Post #2 in San Antonio, he transferred to Greenwich, NY VFW Post #7291, as a life member and the American Legion Post #515 of Greenwich, NY of which he was made a life member. He received the Good Conduct Medal, the EAME Campaign Medals with 2 Bronze Stars and the American Defense Service Medal. He was in the Battle of the Bulge and also at Remegen Bridge. His service will be at La Trinidad United Methodist Church in San Antonio, Texas on March 9, 2014 and burial will be in the Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, TX.