Abelizario Chavez

Una parte de su trayectoria: Esposo, padre, hermano, amigo, viajero.

Don Chayito era conocido por su gran corazón. Era cariñoso, amoroso, alegre y aventurero. Aunque no sabía leer ni escribir, era muy perspicaz y tenía muchas experiencias de las que compartir. Su forma de hablar siempre invitaba a la reflexión, era firme pero a la vez amable.

Abelizario quedó huérfano a los 8 años durante la guerra junto a sus dos hermanos mayores, Gloria y Julio Chávez. Sus tíos lo acogieron y lo ayudaron a empezar a trabajar en la agricultura en Honduras, cultivando maíz y criando ganado. Así se ganó la vida y, más tarde, pudo mantener a su familia. Le pagaban 2 lempiras por día de trabajo. Conoció a su esposa, Águeda Peña, a los 21 años. Se casaron y formaron una familia de 8 hijos en Agua Fría, Honduras. Construyó su casa con sus propias manos después de trabajar largas horas en el campo con la ayuda de sus hijos mayores, Armando y Marvin. Todos sus hijos recuerdan perfectamente cómo, después del trabajo, bajaba mangos de los árboles de sus jefes y escogía los más bonitos para enviárselos a sus hijos en casa. Aunque crecieron en la pobreza, él y su esposa se aseguraron de criarlos con amor y bondad. Les enseñaron a compartir lo poco que tenían con los vecinos y a ser agradecidos con cada día.

Encima de crecer a sus hijos, el creció a sus nietos como si fueron sus propios. Esto se debió a que sus hijos emigraron a los Estados Unidos en busca de un futuro mejor. Durante todo ese tiempo, mantuvieron un contacto cercano y, finalmente, obtuvo la residencia en los Estados Unidos, donde se mudó en 2013. Residía en Asheville, Carolina del Norte, pero una vez allí descubrió su pasión por viajar, especialmente por volar. Viajaba con frecuencia entre Honduras y Estados Unidos, lo que dio lugar a una broma familiar en la que lo llamaban cariñosamente “el viajero”.

Era amado, cuidado y apreciado por todos. A cada persona con la que hablaba, le transmitía sabiduría. Su paciencia hizo que muchos confiaran en él, y siempre estaba dispuesto a escuchar. Siempre será recordado y todos lo extrañamos por siempre.

Sus ocho hijos —Armando, Marvin, Yamileth, Danilo, Minerva, Hermer, Denis y Edwin— fueron el mayor orgullo de su vida. Asimismo, deja un legado de amor inmenso en sus 27 nietos: Sarahi, Wilmer, Erin, Nancy, Yovani, Cristian, Willian, Grethel, Janinia, José, Daniel, Kevin, Jaikin, Michael, Waleska, Engy, Selvin, Brian, Stephanie, Steven, Kenneth, Yahir, Marilyn, Paola, Christopher, Maeve y Anabelle. Cada uno de ellos guarda en su corazón el amor, la sabiduría y las enseñanzas que Don Chayito les compartió durante su vida.

Te quieremos papito. Nos vemos pronto.

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A glimpse into his life: Husband, father, brother, friend, traveler.

Don Chayito was known for his big heart. He was affectionate, loving, cheerful, and adventurous. Although he couldn’t read or write, he was very perceptive and had many experiences to share. His way of speaking always invited reflection; he was firm yet kind.

Abelizario was orphaned at the age of eight during the war, along with his two older siblings, Gloria and Julio Chávez. His uncles took him in and helped him start working in agriculture in Honduras, growing corn and raising cattle. This is how he earned a living and, later, was able to support his family. He was paid two lempiras per day. He met his wife, Águeda Peña, at 21 years old. They married and raised a family of eight children in Agua Fría, Honduras. He built his house with his own hands after long hours of work in the fields, with the help of his older sons, Armando and Marvin. All his children vividly remember how, after work, he would pick mangoes from his employers’ trees and choose the prettiest ones to send back to his children. Although they grew up in poverty, he and his wife made sure to raise them with love and kindness. They taught them to share what little they had with their neighbors and to be grateful for each day.

In addition to raising his own children, he raised his grandchildren as if they were his own. This was because his children had immigrated to the United States in search of a better future. During all that time, they maintained close contact and eventually he obtained residency in the United States, where he moved to in 2013. He lived in Asheville, North Carolina, but once there, he discovered his passion for travel, especially flying. He frequently traveled between Honduras and the United States, which led to a family joke where they affectionately called him “the traveler.”

He was loved, cared for, and appreciated by everyone. He shared wisdom with everyone he spoke to. His patience resulted in the trust of many, and he was always willing to listen. He will always be remembered, and we will all miss him forever.

His eight children—Armando, Marvin, Yamileth, Danilo, Minerva, Hermer, Denis, and Edwin—were the greatest pride of his life. He also leaves behind an immense legacy of love in his 27 grandchildren: Sarahi, Wilmer, Erin, Nancy, Yovani, Cristian, Willian, Grethel, Janinia, José, Daniel, Kevin, Jaikin, Michael, Waleska, Engy, Selvin, Brian, Stephanie, Steven, Kenneth, Yahir, Marilyn, Paola, Christopher, Maeve, and Anabelle. Each of them cherishes in their heart the love, wisdom, and teachings that Don Chayito shared with them throughout his life.

Te quieremos papito. Nos vemos pronto.