Lamar, Mario Juan, Commander, US Navy (Ret), died in his home in Brandon, Florida, on January 15, 2008, after a long, courageous battle with Parkinson's disease. He was born on December 18, 1931, the son of Rene and Maria Luisa de Lamar. He graduated from Colegio Los Angeles in Costa Rica with B.A. and B.S. degrees and attended the University of Costa Rica from 1949-1952. He transferred to the School of Dentistry at the University of Havana and graduated in 1955. He was selected for a one year residency in the United States which he completed in 1956. After returning to Cuba, he was admitted to the Cuban Naval Academy and graduated in 1960. During his tour of duty as Executive Officer of the Cuban Underwater Demolition Team, Mario realized that living according to his democratic principles would be impossible under the Castro regime. On October 7, 1960, he defected from Castro's Navy in his family's 24 foot cabin cruiser. He arrived in Key West, Florida, on October 8th, running out of gas three miles off the coast. A few days after arriving in Miami, he joined the Cuban Brigada de Asalto 2506 and on October 17, 1961, participated in the Bay of Pigs Invasion as Executive Officer of a cutter. He was commissioned in The United States Navy on March 11, 1963, as a part of President John F. Kennedy's program for Brigade 2506. He graduated from the United States Army Infantry School at Fort Benning, Georgia. After Benning he graduated with distinction from Officer Candidate School, in Newport, Rhode Island. From 1963-66 he served as an instructor at U.S. Naval Amphibious School in Little Creek, Virginia. Mario cut short his tour as navigator aboard the USS Vermillion, volunteering for in-country duty in Vietnam in 1968. After a few weeks in Vietnam, he was assigned as Officer-in-Charge of Lighterage I Corps. He participated in combat operations on the Perfume and Kua-Viet Rivers during and after the Tet Offensive. He was awarded the Bronze Star with Combat V for heroic achievement on February 29, 1968, the Navy Commendation Medal for meritorious service, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Cross of Gallantry from the Vietnamese Government. His duties after Vietnam included Operations Officer USS Spiegel Grove, Staff Navigator for Commander, Second Fleet, and Navy Liaison Officer to the CINC USSOUTHCOM. While on shore duty Mario studied for his dental boards, obtaining a license in the state of New York. He was transferred to the Dental Corps in June 1980 after completing a one year residency at the National Naval Dental Center in Bethesda, Maryland. He has served as Dental Officer at the Naval Dental Clinics in Norfolk, Virginia and Naples, Italy. He was assigned as Director, Branch Dental Clinic, Ballston Spa, New York, in June 1986. In 1991, Mario retired from active duty and moved with his family to Brandon, Florida. Before retiring completely, he worked as a contract general dentist at MacDill AFB and the Navy Training Center in Orlando, Florida. Mario was a true Renaissance man. He wrote Escape from Castro, a novel loosely based on his own experiences. He enjoyed sports of all kinds and competed in swimming, sailing, fencing, and equestrian events. He loved to travel, especially to places where he could ski. He spoke three languages fluently and was an excellent amateur artist. Nothing pleased him more than spending time with his family. His zest for life was contagious and remained with him until the very end. Mario is survived by his wife Karol Susan Lamar, his son Mario Chris Lamar, his three daughters, Elena Margarita Lamar, Lynn Lamar-Sampson (husband Brad), and Teresa Nicole Lamar, and by his grandson, Mario Alexander Lamar. He is also survived by two of his brothers, Hector de Lamar and Luis de Lamar of Coral Gables, Florida. He was preceded in death by his sister Zoraida Hernandez, two of his brothers, Enrique de Lamar and Dr. Rene de Lamar and his cousin, Hilda Bradfield.
The family wishes to express appreciation and gratitude to the Emerald Team of LifePath Hospice for their invaluable help to the family. For the past three months they made it possible for Mario to be cared for in the dignity and comfort of his home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Lifepath Hospice.
There will be a visitation on Thursday, January 17, 2008 from 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will take place on Friday, January 18, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home, followed by a graveside service, with full Military Honors.