Carlos Molina Quijano's Obituary
In the great mountains beyond, a fellow wanderer has joined the trail. On December 21, 2024, Carlos Alberto Molina Quijano passed away peacefully at age 63. He ended a battle with cancer that was met with his usual grit and tenacity. He was surrounded by family, listening to Tom Petty, and dreaming of Zapatoca.
Carlos was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia to Paulina Quijano and Dr. Jesus Alberto Molina. He was Dad to his four children (David, John, Michael, and Sarah), Papa Los to his eight grandchildren, Carlos to his wife Tiffany, and Los to his sisters Claudia and Adriana. He was also Betico, Niño Bonito, Mr. Molina, Sir, Coach, Neighbor, Boss. No matter the name you called him, to know Carlos was to not forget him. He was a monumental person, a force of nature, savvy, smart and prolific.
He leaned into life with a fierce curiosity. Carlos was the first soccer player to get a red card at St. Ignatius. He gave unwavering support to Cleveland's beleaguered sports franchises, enjoyed the sun, ate crab pretzels, smoked stogies, stayed up late watching World Cup matches, taught his kids how to bodysurf Gulf waters, danced in the desert to Neil Young, snorkeled in Thailand, ran desert trails, and journeyed back to Colombia to feast on empanadas with his family who loved him so much.
Carlos had a sweet tooth, a kind laugh, a quick wit, a clean look, a toughness, a greatness, a power. Never one to back down, he left behind a closing message: "Gotta find a way to win."
A memorial service will be held on Saturday February 1, 2025 at 11:30AM, at St. Angela Merici, 20970 Lorain Rd, with a one hour visitation prior to mass.
In lieu of flowers, a donation "In Memory of Carlos Molina" can be made to Urban Community School or to The Welsh Academy of St. Ignatius.
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