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My Uncle Jose Miguel Brambila

My uncle Jose Miguel Brambila was born in Ameca, Jalisco, Mexico on May 24, 1881. He was the first born to grandpa Felipe and grandma Florencia, who are noted in this blog. My mother was Jose Miguel's kid sister, as she was born when he was 23 years old.

Jose Miguel was a tough individual. He was a blacksmith by trade; a man of incredible strength. He was a foreman at a railroad round house. He supervised a crew of men who built and repaired the long metal rods that simultaneously propelled the wheels of steam locomotives.

When I met my uncle Jose Miguel, uncle Jose, I was an infant. I still remember him visiting us for supper on a regular basis. He walked with difficulty; always assisted by a walking cane. He used to stutter a bit. He called me endearingly "rafaga" which translates to "burst", as I had a lot of energy often particular to young kids.

Jose Miguel was a very generous person. For example; as a railroad employee he was able to obtain train tickets at a discount. I remember my mom and I getting tickets to travel to Mexico City to visit my aunt Josefina. I have such fond memories of these train trips.

Uncle Jose called my mom little sister (hermanita). My mom once told me when my grandfather married for the second time, he delegated  her care to my uncle Jose. My mother lived with Jose Miguel and his wife Prudencia Cuevas Vazquez up until the time when she married my father in 1930.

Jose Miguel had four children. Carlos, who was born on April 13, 1921. Alfornso, who was born on Sepember 20, 1925. Ricardo Benjamin, who was born on April 14, 1931 and Fernando, who was born on May 29, 1933. Every one of my cousins has passed away. Fernando passed away September 30, 2020. Griselda Piersall advised me of his passing. Griselda, also known as titi, is the daughter of Carlos Brambila. i

Ricardo married a wonderful lady named Esther. She and my cousin Ricardo were Christian missioners.

I wish to thank Fernando, nicknamed 'el guero" for visiting my parents while they lived in Guadalajara. I still remember him in his youth, riding his bicycle for a long distance to visit us. He was a wonderful guy.

My uncle Jose Miguel passed away peacefully at the age of eighty-one. He passed away on March 3, 1962. I attended his funeral.



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