Raul Moreno

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Raul Moreno on October 2nd 2024, at the age of 87. Raul was born December 29, 1936 in Matanzas, Cuba. 

Raul met his beloved wife of 68 years, Esther Clementina Torres in the small village Punta Brava. Esther was minding her own business on a rocking chair having a lovely afternoon, when her future husband, Raul, approached her. Esther knew Raul because he would come visit her brothers during his usual hustle. But on this day Raul approached and said "I like you, i will marry you tomorrow, I will ask for your fathers blessing." She said, Ok. Her father, Medardo Torres, accepted and said "You will take care of my daughter" and Raul told him that he would love and protect her. For 68 years Raul Moreno kept this promise.

 After his marriage Raul fathered two beautiful daughters, Caridad and Teresita Moreno in the community of La Habana Cuba. Raul was known for his strong will, kind heart, and his dedication to his family and his community. It was Raul's dedication to his family that guided him to relocate his family to the United States on Sept 1st 1967. 

Raul earned his American citizenship in less than 3 years, living in Hoboken New Jersey where he raised his daughters and ensured they were given educational opportunities and a future that he himself did not have. He purchased his first home in Jersey City, NJ from a man that would ride on Raul’s bus, on a handshake. He faithfully hand delivered his payments until he owned his family’s first home. He embraced his local community, learned English, and provided for his family through his work as a bus driver. Raul worked long hours, and came home hungry many times after long shifts because he gave his lunch to people in his community when he saw that they were hungry. There is not a more proud American; Raul loved the New York Yankees, McDonalds and American cars. 

Raul is proudly survived by his wife Esther Moreno; daughters, Caridad and Teresita Moreno; his daughter-in-law Tammi Thornton; his grandchildren Marcus Moreno, Blake and Jennifer Wiggs, Sarah and Antonio Romero; his great granddaughters Cecilia Wiggs, Lucille Harris, and Olivia Thornton-Barbero; and he is survived by several loving nieces and nephew, as well as many neighbors, friends, and found-family members who loved him as a father. 

To know Raul Moreno was to know kindness; he knew no strangers. Those who loved him, and were loved by him, were truly blessed. 

Memorial services will be held Oct 4th in Durham at Hall-Wynne Funeral Services, led by the Reverend David Fuentes. Raul's burial services will be held at GreenLeaf Memorial Park at the Moreno family crypt in New Bern on Oct 5th at 2pm. Prayer services will be led by the Reverend Paul Canady