Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Alberto Paz Obituary

Alberto Bernardino Paz, age 70, tango historian, teacher, and dancer, passed away on February 3, 2014. Argentine born, in the Northern province of Tucuman, he moved with his family to Buenos Aires at the age of 9 months. He graduated from the School of Electrical Engineering of the University of Buenos Aires. In 1968, at age 25, he moved to the United States, becoming a proud citizen in 1985. He lived in California, working for high-tech video companies, founding his own in the 1980s. During the 1980’s he also worked at San Francisco’s radio station KIQI as a soccer announcer and color commentator. In 1990 he produced a night-time program playing South American music, that rapidly became a popular all tango music program.

For 18 years, with his beloved partner, Valorie Hart, he performed, gave master classes, lectured, and conducted workshops in cities across America, as well as in Italy, Portugal, the UK, the Netherlands, Germany and the Philippines. Alberto and Valorie migrated to New Orleans in 2000, establishing a vital tango community, hosting and teaching tango. They wrote the seminal book, “GottaTango,” and were instrumental in developing new communities, training qualified local teachers and encouraging efforts to preserve, foster and educate people on the core social and cultural values of the Argentine Tango music, poetry and dance.

Alberto is survived by his wife Valorie Hart, son, Alberto Paz Jr., daughter, Maria Eugenia (Gina) Staropoli, grandson, Dylan Paz, sister Noemi Paz-Palacios, niece, Carla Palacios, and nephew, Arial Palacios.

Family and friends are invite to attend the memorial service to be held at Jacob Schoen & Son Funeral Home, 3827 Canal Street in New Orleans, on Saturday February 15, 2014 at 12 Noon. Visitation will begin at 11 AM and continue until service time. Repast at the home of Alberto and Valorie afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations via Paypal to boutique@planet-tango.com. Condolences may be expressed at www.schoencanalstreet.com


8 comments:

  1. A lovely and heartfelt piece. He sounded like a wonderful man, and I enjoyed getting to know him (and you) through your marvelous blog. My condolences and sympathy to you and your family, and to those who loved your dear husband. Reggie

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  2. That is such a wonderful photo and a lovely tribute. Thinking of you. Michele

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  3. Such a wonderful testament to a loving and well-loved man

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  4. Loved reading about him. Great photo of him. I'll be thinking of you all day tomorrow. Hope you are doing ok....I know you are not...but hoping for the best. HOpe you have plenty of friends and family to pull you through there.

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  5. Well done, Valorie. Alberto would be pleased and proud. Our thoughts have been and will continue to be with you.

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  6. What a great photo and lovely words about this man.I did not know him, but I loved reading about him. His photo says it all, he must have been some man..I am sure the loss will last, but how lucky you were to have known him so deeply...hugs from across the pond..

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