Obituary for Galo Enrique Erazo Recalde
Galo “Papa” Enrique Erazo Recalde, 81, passed away Friday, December 29, 2023 in Melville, NY. Galo was born to Ana Sanchez in August of 1942. He was one of 6 siblings. He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Susana, and his three children: Katherine “Katita”, Galo “Mauri”, and Jasmine “Jas”, their spouses; Fabricio, Lorraine and Scott, respectively, and his 8 grandchildren: “Galito”, “Scottie”, “Lolita”, Nathaniel, Alex, Lucas, Jack, and Danny; and his brothers, Hugo, Raul, and Fabian, and sister Gladys.
Galo’s education fell short due to his need to start working to help his mother provide for the family. Although he did not finish high school or attend college, he was a man full of knowledge. He was always eager to learn and never afraid of trying something new. He was a hard worker and a “go getter”. In the course of his life, he worked in many fields, including textiles, the service industry, utility company, but mostly in sales, jewelry, cars and his last being as a real estate agent. He was the top in whatever he did because whatever he did, he did well. He embarked on many business ventures, some successful, others not. Galo believed that nothing was impossible. His biggest accomplishment, and what he was most proud of, was the family he built. In the spring of 1963, as a handsome, dashing young man, he met a beautiful, timid but spunky young girl, Susana, and it was love at first sight, from that day they would be together for the rest of his life. Their story is a true love story in every sense of the word … an Ecuadorian version of Romeo & Juliet. They came from different families that did not approve of their relationship, but Galo and Susana persevered through a challenging 4 years until they finally got married on April 1, 1967. They went on to have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
Galo immigrated to the United States shortly after getting married, leaving behind his beautiful bride in search of the American Dream. He was a self-made man in the sense that he came to America with nothing, learned English, secured a job, found a place to live. Once settled, his wife, Susana joined him in Derby, Connecticut. He worked very hard, bought a house and on the way, helped many of his extended family members settle in the US as they started their own journeys. The doors were always open. He was a very generous man as he wouldn’t think twice about helping someone that was in need. While in the US, Galo built his dream house in Ecuador and after 14 years moved his family of 5 back to his native land, Quito, Ecuador. He opened a restaurant and the family settled there for 3 years but due to life circumstances, came back to the US in 1983 to start over, this time in Queens, NY. Once again, Galo worked hard to provide for his family and build a new life. He accomplished that by at times working more than one job. Susana was his biggest supporter throughout his life. She believed in him, even when she really didn’t and he loved her for that.
Until the end, Galo was sharing the little he had. He was a proud man, especially of the family he created. All that knew him knew that he was a jokester. He was creative and inventive. He loved to go antiquing in yard sales because “you never know what you are going to find”. He loved to go on long rides with Susana with no destination. He also loved to just relax at home with his “negra” by his side, holding her hand or with his arm around her shoulder while watching their favorite game shows or listening to music. Most of all, you would know that he loved his native land of Ecuador. Not being able to live there anymore due to his Pulmonary Fibrosis condition was very difficult for him. However, Galo enjoyed his last years with his family, making memories and laughing. He had a jolly, “Santa like” laugh but instead of “ho, ho ho”, he would say “oh boy”. Galo always left a lasting impression on those he met, whether good or bad, you would remember him. In his long, beautiful life, he did a lot of good, helped many people in their time of need, and loved those he loved, hard.
Galo’s education fell short due to his need to start working to help his mother provide for the family. Although he did not finish high school or attend college, he was a man full of knowledge. He was always eager to learn and never afraid of trying something new. He was a hard worker and a “go getter”. In the course of his life, he worked in many fields, including textiles, the service industry, utility company, but mostly in sales, jewelry, cars and his last being as a real estate agent. He was the top in whatever he did because whatever he did, he did well. He embarked on many business ventures, some successful, others not. Galo believed that nothing was impossible. His biggest accomplishment, and what he was most proud of, was the family he built. In the spring of 1963, as a handsome, dashing young man, he met a beautiful, timid but spunky young girl, Susana, and it was love at first sight, from that day they would be together for the rest of his life. Their story is a true love story in every sense of the word … an Ecuadorian version of Romeo & Juliet. They came from different families that did not approve of their relationship, but Galo and Susana persevered through a challenging 4 years until they finally got married on April 1, 1967. They went on to have 3 children and 8 grandchildren.
Galo immigrated to the United States shortly after getting married, leaving behind his beautiful bride in search of the American Dream. He was a self-made man in the sense that he came to America with nothing, learned English, secured a job, found a place to live. Once settled, his wife, Susana joined him in Derby, Connecticut. He worked very hard, bought a house and on the way, helped many of his extended family members settle in the US as they started their own journeys. The doors were always open. He was a very generous man as he wouldn’t think twice about helping someone that was in need. While in the US, Galo built his dream house in Ecuador and after 14 years moved his family of 5 back to his native land, Quito, Ecuador. He opened a restaurant and the family settled there for 3 years but due to life circumstances, came back to the US in 1983 to start over, this time in Queens, NY. Once again, Galo worked hard to provide for his family and build a new life. He accomplished that by at times working more than one job. Susana was his biggest supporter throughout his life. She believed in him, even when she really didn’t and he loved her for that.
Until the end, Galo was sharing the little he had. He was a proud man, especially of the family he created. All that knew him knew that he was a jokester. He was creative and inventive. He loved to go antiquing in yard sales because “you never know what you are going to find”. He loved to go on long rides with Susana with no destination. He also loved to just relax at home with his “negra” by his side, holding her hand or with his arm around her shoulder while watching their favorite game shows or listening to music. Most of all, you would know that he loved his native land of Ecuador. Not being able to live there anymore due to his Pulmonary Fibrosis condition was very difficult for him. However, Galo enjoyed his last years with his family, making memories and laughing. He had a jolly, “Santa like” laugh but instead of “ho, ho ho”, he would say “oh boy”. Galo always left a lasting impression on those he met, whether good or bad, you would remember him. In his long, beautiful life, he did a lot of good, helped many people in their time of need, and loved those he loved, hard.