Nelson Pons' Obituary
Nelson Pons, 79, passed away on January 23, 2026, at the Dr. Jay Weil Center for Hospice Care. He was the devoted husband of Emilia Del Carmen Pons, with whom he shared 54 beautiful years of marriage.
Born in San José de Las Lajas, Cuba, on September 12, 1946, Nelson was the son of the late Lorenzo Pons-Nicolau and Carmen Ruiz-Guzman. His love story with Emilia began when he worked for her father—one visit turned into a lifetime together, truly love at first sight.
Nelson moved to Florida in 1980 and built a full and joyful life with Emilia. For many years, they owned a small farm in Bellview, Florida, where Nelson thrived. He loved tending to his animals, exploring new farming techniques, and seeing what new things he could grow. Whether it was plants, food, or ideas, Nelson made everything flourish. He even made goat cheese from his own goats’ milk and taught himself new skills through YouTube—learning quickly and always with enthusiasm
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He enjoyed fishing, riding horses, gardening, and spending time with every pet he ever had. Nelson was deeply environmentally conscious and lived by example: reusing, repurposing, and never wasting anything. He rinsed and reused zip-top bags, hung paper towels to dry, and insisted on five-minute showers for the kids—small habits that reflected his respect for the world around him.
A talented baker, Nelson was known for his delicious sweets and breads, especially his famous chocolate chip cookies. Creative and resourceful, he made his own recipes and could always whip up something wonderful from whatever he had on hand.
Above all, Nelson loved his family. He was fun-loving, silly, and always smiling—a man who lit up every room he walked into. A natural people person, he brought laughter, comfort, and encouragement to all who knew him. He was kind, caring, and supportive, always offering advice or a helping hand. A perfectionist in the best way, he worked hard and provided well, meeting every challenge with resilience and a positive spirit.
Nelson is survived by his loving wife, Emilia del Carmen; his three daughters, Sonia Ewell (Richard), Mayte Pons, and Lazi Gomez (Victor); and his 13 grandchildren: Christina, Andrew, Mathew, Ryann, Preston, Ariana, Fabian, Evelyn, Isabel, Dalton, Ashley, Austin, and Maria. He is also survived by his three great-grandchildren: Noah, Olivia, and Jasper; and his brothers, Hugo and Gustavo.
He was predeceased by his parents, Lorenzo and Carmen, and his siblings, Eduardo and Emma.
Nelson’s joyful presence, unwavering love, and warm-hearted spirit will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to know him.
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