Fellow Miami Skalleague Jack Guiteras passed away last Friday. Services will be held on Saturday October 15th at 2:30PM at the Church of the Little Flower, 2711 Indian Mound Trail, Coral Gables.

GUITERAS, JOHN (JACK) R., was born on January 24, 1930, in Havana, Cuba, to Frances Ferrer and John Raoul Guiteras, a graduate of West Point Academy. As a young child, Jack was faced with considerable challenges. The death of his father when he was a mere 9 years old left Jack in the care of his mother and grandmother. Jack refined his bilingual skills to perfection at an early age due to frequent travels between Havana and New York City, where his mother worked for the United Nations. He attended El Colegio de Belen as an adolescent, but economic hardships led him to discontinue his schooling during his junior year in order to work full time to help support his mother. His resilience in the face of such challenges undoubtedly fomented the strength and courage that Jack would further channel into all endeavors of his life. Jack met the love of his life, Luisa M. Gutierrez, in 1950 while working in Havana. The couple was married following Luisa's graduation from the Universidad de Habana in 1954.

Jack embodied a lifelong legacy of relentless work ethic and true industriousness in his business endeavors, while maintaining a position of unwavering commitment and sacrifice for his family. In 1948, he & his wife Luisa started Lorraine Travel and earned the ""appointments"" of such prestigious airlines like Pan Am & National and were on track to becoming one of the leading agencies in Havana. Although Jack and Luisa decided to immigrate to Miami in 1960 due to the political unrest on the island, the agency remained open until it was confiscated by the communist government. Once it became evident that the situation in Cuba continued to deteriorate, Jack concentrated his efforts on establishing Lorraine Travel as a prominent travel agency in South Florida, with a satellite office in Puerto Rico. Over the years the agency grew to open various locations throughout Florida and today remains one of the most successful, privately owned travel management companies in Florida.

Jack forged new ground in the travel industry as he worked to keep up with technological advances throughout the years. Lorraine Travel was the first agency in Florida to be automated by Sabre-the leading global travel distribution network today, and offered the only ""drive-thru"" ticketing window service before E-Ticketing existed, along with Park & Shuttle service given the agency's headquarters proximity to Miami International Airport. Another innovation included the development of the Lorraine Travel School, which prepared many students for travel careers. Moreover, Jack initiated and meticulously prepared two private charters on the British Airways Concorde for trips around the world that were sell-outs at $39,000 per person in the late 1980s! These Concorde trips were the first of their kind, and were hosted by the famed American conservative author and commentator, William F. Buckley Jr. & Frank Borman, Commander of the 1968 Apollo 8 Mission, respectively. Those who were privileged to have Jack as their personal agent witnessed his significant pride and devotion in preparing intricately crafted world-class itineraries.

Jack especially valued Lorraine Travel's longstanding partnership with American Airlines, that began when American had just a handful of employees in Miami and blossomed into personal friendships with the key players who have made American Airlines what it is today, especially in Miami where it employs thousands and carries about 70% of all passengers out of MIA.

Still yet another project he was embarking on involved plans to take clients into outer space to experience zero-gravity! This was just in case space travel would become a reality before free travel between the USA and a post-Castro, democratic Cuba would be possible, an event that Jack was always hoping for during his lifetime.

Truly descriptive of his character, the nickname Jack suited his personality as a genuine ""jack of all trades."" Jack was equally adept at figuring out computer systems, conducting chocolate chip cookie taste tests, ""assisting"" with science projects, and writing eloquently on a variety of topics. He introduced his children to all kinds of athletics, music, especially his love of classical, as well as to the world of theater and museums and culture, and even directed group yoga sessions for his kids well before they became trendy. One of his most ardent life pleasures was orchestrating and experiencing globe-trotting adventures with family year after year. He also loved chocolate!

Jack's passion and enthusiasm was not limited to family and Lorraine Travel Bureau. In fact, Jack provided indefatigable dedication in the crusade for his beloved Cuba, and worked to promote awareness of the island's plight for freedom. He expressed his views prolifically, especially through letters to the editor of the Miami Herald, and even national news networks. He was equally fervent, however, in his adoration of this country, zealously flying both the American and Cuban flags on all national holidays. Jack was also a very proud alumnus of El Colegio de Belen, and through his efforts, the creation of Belen's, Ramon Guiteras Memorial Library was made possible. Inaugurated in 1972, the library was named in the memory of this distinguished Guiteras family scion. Subsequently, Belen's Computer Resource Center was named in honor of Frances Ferrer, his beloved mother.

Jack's most recent business ventures gave life to the dreams of his youngest son, Daniel, and his wife, Lorraine, with the opening of The Globe Cafe and Bar in 1996, followed by OneBurger in 2006. As further testimony to his fervor for his native country, the Globe Cafe has hosted the annual Cuba Libre Block Party celebration since 2003. OneBurger continues to expand, with franchise locations in Central America, the Caribbean, and South Florida. These latest accomplishments comprise the vision Jack coined as the Guiteras Family Enterprises, which overtime have employed all his own children, as well as numerous family members. Lorraine Travel's staff, most of whom have been employed with the agency for more than 10 years, also represent an integral and loyal part of this family enterprise.

Jack is survived by his wife, Luisa M. Guiteras, as well as his six children: Margarita L. (Richard J.) Massa, John A. (Milagro E.) Guiteras, Louis A. Guiteras (Isabel), Greg I. (Angelica) Guiteras, Maria C. (Juan Jose) Rodriguez, Daniel E. (and Lorraine) Guiteras. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren: Carina, Richard, Lauren, Alex, Juan Jose, Aoife, Emma, Elise, and his granddog Max. As the patriarch for three generations, Jack will always be remembered as a selfless husband, father, grandfather, role model, a gentleman of the first order and best friend. His wife, children, and grandchildren will forever cherish infinite memories, both simple and grand, of the precious moments they were fortunate enough to enjoy in his irreplaceable presence.

A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2011 at 2:30 PM, but please note the change of location: Church of the Little Flower 2711 Indian Mound Trail Coral Gables, FL 33134 (305) 446-9950 In lieu of flowers, donations to Regis House (RegisHouse.org) would be appreciated. View this Guest Book at www. MiamiHerald.com/obituaries.
Published in The Miami Herald on October 11, 2011.