Gaston Miguel Diaz-Cid

Gaston Miguel Diaz-Cid passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2008, at the Ocean Springs Hospital, surrounded by his close family after a lengthy illness. He was born December 27, 1926, in Valparaiso, Chile, South America. Mr. Diaz moved his family to New York City in 1964 and then after many cold winters to sunny Miami, FL. In 1997 he and his family moved to Ocean Springs, MS to be closer to their grandchildren and to enjoy retirement. Gaston was an independent entrepreneur all his life, owning several businesses throughout his life and always making sure that his family was taken care of. His truest passion was being around people; as he was a generous and a very friendly individual and the one who genuinely cared when he inquired about someone. Gaston’s several hobbies included hosting parties, cooking Sunday breakfast and weekend barbecues for his family, as well as watching old movies. In his later years, he enjoyed walking on the beach, traveling, visiting his family across the globe, as well as Mississippi Gulf Coast Casinos. Mr. Diaz’s happiest times, however, were when he was surrounded by his immediate and extended family. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Miguel and Flor Cid Diaz. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Ana “Anita” Diaz Sanchez, his three sons: Gaston Diaz of Miami, FL, Eduardo “Eddie” (Natalia) Diaz of Ocean Springs, MS, and Fernando Diaz of Ocean Springs, MS; three grandchildren: Joshua Anderson of New Orleans, LA; Alexandra Diaz of Savannah, GA, and Sofia Diaz of Ocean Springs. He is also survived by one sister, Cecilia Diaz (Edwin) Mahan of Uppsala, Sweden and a brother Sergio Diaz of Vina Del Mar, Chile. Some of his extended family includes his father-in-law Fernando Sanchez, a sister-in-law Adriana (Juan Enrique) Gandara; brothers-in-law Fernando (Valeria) Diaz Sanchez and Fernando Carlos (Diana) Sanchez and a sister-in-law Maria Paz Sanchez – all of Miami, FL; as well as a host of numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. The family extends sincere gratitude to Dr. Mahmoud Zayed and the staff of Southern Mississippi Heart Center, Dr. William Striegel and his staff, the staff of the Ocean Springs Hospital; Trinity Hospice and Father White of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. A memorial service and a Catholic mass to celebrate his life will be held on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church (504 Jackson Avenue, Ocean Springs) with visitation beginning at 10:00 a.m. The family will also receive visitors at their residence following mass. Bradford–O’Keefe Funeral Home, Howard Avenue, in Biloxi, is in charge of arrangements.