9/1930 – 2/2023

Rodolfo Mateo Barrio was born in El Cero, Provincial de Habana, Cuba.
As a young man, his father was a train engineer in Cuba, running trains from coast to coast. This is where his fascination of trains began. Rudy had a strong work ethic and felt he needed to pursue job opportunities in the U.S. With $200 borrowed from his father, his legal papers in hand, and not knowing a word of English, he boarded a plane on PAN-AM Airlines from Cuba to Kennedy Airport, NY then to New Jersey.
There he worked at the Toostie Roll factory, learned to weld and began working on boilers and buoys at Worthington Pump Co., then he worked at a Sheet Metal Company.
Rudy met his wife of almost 64 years, Esther Chavez who is also from Cuba, born at the El Rosier Farm, Alquizar, Cuba. She worked as a cosmetologist at the NYC Plaza and Sheraton Hotels.
Esther told her mother, she thought he was too skinny. Her mother replied, “don’t worry, we’ll fatten him up, besides, he has strong legs”.
They married in April of 1959 in the Bronx, NY.
After they were married, Esther learned to become an incredible cook and their home was known for feeding the masses.
In the early 1960s they moved to Miami, FL, where they raised their three children.

Rudy received his GED and then earned his Electrical and Refrigeration certifications. Rudy was also an avid reader – everything from history to politics. While in Florida, he worked for the Wendy’s Corporation fixing their equipment throughout southern Florida, even the Bahamas. Rudy was never without a tool in his hands, always looking for something to fix. He was always working on a project.
His passion, however, was for Cuban orchestra music of his time. He loved the orchestras and African influences. Benny Morè was the greatest Cuban singer and his number one favorite. ‘Lajas Mi Rincon Criollo de Benny Morè was a favorite of Rudy’s along with, Perez Prado, Orchestra Aragon and Celia Cruz. He also loved ‘Let It Be’ by the Beatles.
He had an ear for that cuban beat and rhythms and loved to beat on the ‘tumbadoras’, (large congo drums).
You would never see him sitting when he heard that beat- he would always be on his feet dancing!
In 2020, Rudy and Esther, Danny and Lisa moved in with their daughter and son-in-law, Barb and Ron Beckner in Westcliffe, CO. He enjoyed helping Ron around the property, at the rodeo grounds, with runs to Ace Hardware. He enjoyed meeting the wonderful new friends and incredible neighbors.
Rudy lived life…and it was blessed because of his love for his wife Esther. She made sure he was well taken care of and always with her.
Rodolfo Mateo Barrio is survived by his wife Esther Barrio, children, Barbara (Ron) Barrio Beckner and Robert (Christy) Solano and his by grandchildren, Jonny (Candelario) Saldana,
Chichi Barrio, Madison Barrio, in-laws, Lisa
(Danny) Hernandez and Antonio Manuel Chavez, and many, many wonderful nieces and nephews. Rudy was preceded in death by his son Rodolfo Barrio.
In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted through the Custer County School District. Please make checks out to The Custer County School District and in the memo line please put ‘Rudy Barrio/welding lab’. Mail checks to The Custer County School District c/o Donna Newell, 709 Main Street, CO 81252.