Luis Herrera

Luis Alberto Herrera Freyle, 66, of Barranquilla, Colombia passed away July 20, 2020 at Ocala Regional Medical Center in Ocala, Florida, due to medical complications associated with COVID-19.

Luis was born to parents Marco Aurelio Herrera Cervera and Lorgia Maria Freyle Rovira on September 24, 1953 in Barranquilla, Colombia. He immigrated to the United States at the age of 11 following the passing of his father and settled in New York with family as it was his father’s wish to send one of his children to the United States to pursue the American Dream. One of his proudest moments was when he became a naturalized U.S. citizen on February 7, 1972.

Luis graduated from Taft High School in Bronx, New York in June 1972. He met the love of his life, Ivette, on October 13, 1973. During their years of courtship, he enlisted in the United States Navy on March 10, 1976; and also earned a Bachelor of Arts from Saint Mary’s College of Maryland on June 2, 1979. Luis married Ivette at St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church in Bronx, New York on June 14, 1980.

He moved his family to Ocala, Florida in 1994; and two years later, he retired from the United States Navy after 20 years of service. Luis was a Personnelman Petty Officer 1st Class at that time. Upon his retirement from the Navy, he began a second career as a correctional officer for the Florida Department of Corrections. He retired from there in 2019 after 23 years of working at the Marion Correctional Institution in Ocala, where he had worked his way up to the position of Sergeant.

Luis was a devout Catholic and most recently attended Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Ocala with his family. For all of his life, Luis’ patron saint was St. Martin of Tours.

Daddy, Dad, Papa, Luis, Lou, Louie, Don Luis, Pepe, Sarge, Herrera – He was known by many names, but to everyone who knew him, he was an extraordinary son, brother, husband, father, son-in-law, grandfather, cousin, uncle, nephew, friend and mentor. He was loved by many and often sought out for advice or words of encouragement due to his firm, yet honest and sincere nature. He was a giving and generous person every day of his life. He was always there for those who knew him and many times for needy strangers too. Like St. Martin of Tours, he was a selfless soul.

Family meant everything to Luis. In everything he did and in every decision he made, his family was always at the forefront of his life. He would often say that his greatest accomplishment was the life he created and lived with Ivette, his children and grandchildren. He took great pride in raising a good, united and happy family with Ivette throughout life’s ups and downs. In his final days he truly enjoyed some wonderful celebrations and moments in the company of his greatest joy – his family. There is no doubt that he felt fulfilled knowing that the

American Dream he had been sent here to pursue had not only been achieved by him, but he felt even more fulfilled knowing that it will live on through the family legacy he shaped for generations to come.

Luis is survived by his wife, Ivette Herrera, to whom he recently celebrated 40 years of marriage on June 14, 2020. He is also survived by his children – Jennifer Marie Herrera Rivera, Jaclyne Ivette Herrera, Jason Luis Herrera and Justin Luis Herrera; son-in-law Jose Luis Rivera; daughter-in-law Ibis Lucero Herrera; as well as his grandchildren – Jose Alberto Rivera, Luis Emmanuel Rivera, and Lily Jaclyne Herrera.

“In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.”

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“Al que sigue buen camino, le haré ver la salvación de Dios.”

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Story of Saint Martin of Tours

One winter day, Martin, a soldier in the Roman army, was riding his horse into the gate of the city of Amiens, France when he saw a beggar asking for help. People walked by the beggar, as if he were invisible. Martin’s heart was touched by the beggar’s request, but he had no money to give him. He did have his military cloak, so he took his soldier’s sword and cut his heavy cloak in half, giving one half to the beggar and keeping the other half for himself. Martin knew he had done the right thing to help the poor man. That night, Martin had a dream in which he was visited by Jesus. Jesus was wearing the half of the cloak Martin had given the beggar! Jesus’ message to Martin was: “I say to you, whatever you did for one of these least brothers of mine, you did for me.”

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Prayers to St. Martin of Tours

Blessed saint, you were born under pagan ways, but since your childhood, you were chosen to be a Prince of the Church, and, as Bishop of Tours, many souls were redeemed and liberated from the satanic forces through your prayers, austerities and blessings. We humbly ask for your intercession before Our Lord Jesus Christ because we want to be worthy of the grace and mercy of the Holy Spirit that leads us from darkness to light into the eternal kingdom, forever and ever. Amen.

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Blessed St. Martin of Tours, obtain for us not only forgiveness, but also a spirit of love towards our neighbors enabling us to be compassionate. Obtain for us the grace to love all people as brothers and sisters with a pure and disinterested heart. May we, like you, one day enjoy the blessed vision of God forever and ever. Amen.

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Bible Readings:

Psalms 15

Psalms 34: 15-22

Matthew 25: 35-40