Jesus Couce Linares' Obituary
It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of Jesus Couce, 89, born on August 6th, 1935 in Holguin, Cuba. Jesus passed in his home, surrounded by his loving family, due to pulmonary complications on March 22nd, 2025.
After serving in the Cuban Air Force in 1954, Jesus was sent to the Panama Canal to study Meteorology, a career he pursued upon his return to Cuba. He married his sweetheart, Rosa Santos, on May 16, 1959 but was arrested for conspiring against Castro’s regime only a month later. After 13 months, he was released and left for the United States leaving behind his pregnant wife. A week later, he joined the Brigade 2506, a CIA-sponsored group of Cuban exiles, in Guatemala to begin training for the Bay of Pigs Invasion in an attempt to overthrow the Cuban government lead by Fidel Castro.
After the failed operation in April 1961, Jesus returned to Miami and welcomed his wife in May before their first daughter, Luisa, was born that June. The following year he joined the United States Air Force, training at the Lakeland Base in San Antonio, Texas and was honorably discharged in 1963.
He and his wife continued to build their family and lives in Miami, welcoming two more daughters - Lourdes in 1965 and Rosemary in 1968. They were married for 63 years before her passing in May of 2022; he was by her side.
Loving husband, devoted father, and proud patriot, Jesus is survived by his three beautiful daughters Luisa (Manuel) Machin, Lourdes (Orlando) Padron, and Rosemary (Osvaldo) Cortes. He was the adored grandfather of seven incredible grandchildren: Ozzy Cortes, Cassie Cortes, Alexandra Machin, Michael Machin, Daniel Padron and David Padron, and Violet Cortes (great-granddaughter).
A cigar in hand, lit or not, Jesus’ infectious smile, contagious laugh, charismatic heart, and zest for life will be dearly missed by all whose lives he filled with love and laughter.
What’s your fondest memory of Jesus?
What’s a lesson you learned from Jesus?
Share a story where Jesus' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Jesus you’ll never forget.
How did Jesus make you smile?
