Obituary of John M. Batista

BATISTA John M. 81 departed this Life October 29, 2022. In Repose Tuesday, November 1, 2022 from 2:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Military Honor Guard services 5:00 P.M. following Funeral Service at 6:00 P.M. These are the intertwined hands of John and Maria in the last earthly moments of our beloved friend, father, brother, brother-in-law, cousin, uncle, grandfather, and husband: John M. Batista. Maria's hand represents the hand of all of us who had the honor of knowing, loving and being loved by him. John was born in the city of Ponce, Puerto Rico, on January 8, 1941 and departed to another dimension of life on Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 11:40 p.m.; surrounded by those closest to him and in the comfort of the home he shared with his soul mate, Maria, after almost 35 years of marriage. John had a life full of rich experiences that most of us have not had; all diverse and unique: from parachuting multiple times in the U.S. Army; dancing Latin rhythms with the greatest of talents; traveling to countless countries; impacting the Miami community with the founding of its main port; and pursuing several successful careers; to starting a new life in his middle age with the extraordinary woman who cared for him with admirable devotion until his last breath. Their children became the adored descendants of this union and their grandchildren further enriched his wonderful life. John is outlived by wife Maria, his children Angianette, Ernie, John John and John Lee, his grandchildren; Sophia, Adrian, John Anthony, Jaden, LeeAnn and Jordan (from heaven) . To know John was to love him. John showed us what a gift it is to be "ourselves," to see the beauty in every being, to be a friendly presence even among strangers, to do good without looking to whom..... In other words, he taught us to live the light of individuality, so that God's love and goodness may freely express itself and touch so many hearts. Something culminates with his physical departure, even though we would not want it to be so. However, when we transcend the human and move into the realm of the heart and the Divine, we realize that he is not gone and never will be. Bodies die butn Love does not... for as Corinthians says: "love never ends". At the end of the human experience, with its ups and downs, with its achievements and its struggles, with its tears and laughter, we discover that Love is what really matters, it is our reason for being, nothing can destroy it, it perpetuates in us because it is who we are, it is what God is; and it is what our beloved John Batista gave us with his presence. You will always live in our hearts John! Today we give thanks for you. Keep flying to the heights of your being and from there continue to be as Jesus: the light of the world. We are eternally grateful to have shared with you. Rest in peace John! Please keep the Batista family in your prayers. The Joseph A. Scarano Pines Memorial Chapel is Honored to assist the Batista family with the arrangements.