- Date Of Birth: September 5, 1962
- Date Of Death: December 17, 2016
- State: Texas
A person’s hands can either be constructive or destructive. In a world where people try to get ahead by bringing others down and causing more harm than good, it is important to look to those who make the world a better place. Rafael Angel “Papico” Gregorich Nimo strove to create and grow beautiful things with his hardworking hands. He strove to create joy and happiness throughout his life, and he succeeded.
On September 5, 1962 in warm Havana, Cuba, a lively little boy came into this world to his grateful parents, Luis Gregorich and Mercedes Nimo. Little Rafael Angel Gregorich Nimo spent several years of his boyhood within Havana, but overtime his family started moving across the Gulf of Mexico to Dallas, Texas. Overtime, only Rafael and his mother were left in Cuba. Shortly before making their own trip across the Gulf of Mexico, Mercedes Nimo died in Cuba in 1969, leaving Little Rafael to make the great journey on his own. As his lifelong caretaker and second-mother, Caridad “Lucy” Gregorich, would lovingly explain, Rafael came to America with only the clothes on his back and a single toy in his possession. When he landed in Dallas, Texas, he clicked and bonded with his younger step-brother, David Gregorich, so much that he gave over his only belonging to his smiling little brother. Although he never came to peace with his mother’s death, Rafael’s family guided and helped him throughout his new life in the United States.
Rafael Angel Gregorich Nimo had many unique and personable characteristics and talents. Even from a very young age, Rafael was very generous with his time, sentiments, and his belongings. He often spent hours with David collecting coins to put in their extensive coin collection. Many of Rafael’s talents and gifts came from his hands. He created lovely drawings of people, animals, and things that were important to him. Using his artistic talent, he even drew a life-like sketch of his mother entirely from his memory. Rafael also used his hands to fix just about anything including cars. He was an excellent mechanic, and even if he didn’t know how to fix something right away, he’d always just “figure it out.
In life, Rafael had a few gifts and talents that made him stand out from many others. Rafael’s family described him as a comedian. He always liked to make people laugh and smile, especially with his imitations of people. Many times, Rafael could perform a spot-on imitation of someone and send a whole group of people roaring with laughter. Along with impersonations and jokes, Rafael was a natural storyteller who could capture and entertain anyone with his words, his expressions, and his smile. Another way Rafael’s family remembers Rafael was his way with luck and “Lady Fortune.” Rafael had an unnatural gift when it came to picking horses at the horse races which almost always sent him home with a heavier wallet. He also had luck with casinos where he would walk away richer in wealth and experience after a fun night.
Tragically, Rafael Angel Gregorich Nimo passed away on December 17, 2016 at the age of fifty-four in Carrollton, Texas. Mr. Gregorich Nimo is survived by his children, Elaine Gregorich and Andrew Gregorich; his grandchildren, Nathan, Aleena, Matthew, and another granddaughter on the way; his father, Luis L. Gregorich; his siblings, Luis E. Gregorich and his wife, Zani, Maria Elena Gregorich Nimo, Luis L. Gregorich and his wife, Michelle, David D. Gregorich and his wife, Maritza, Jorge Gregorich and his wife, Courtney, and Jennifer Harkins and her husband, Daniel; his loving girlfriend of over sixteen years, Lynda Noble; and her children who he loved as his own, David Meeks and Tina Noble. Rafael Gregorich Nimo is preceded in death by his mother, Mercedes de los Angles Nimo.
Rafael Angel Gregorich Nimo used his hands, his time, and his talents to make the world a better place. His memory and his works of art will be with his family forevermore.
Tuesday, December 20th, 2016, 5:00pm – 8:00pm, Hughes Family Tribute Center
Wednesday, December 21st, 2016, 12:00pm, Hughes Family Tribute Center
Crown Hill Memorial Park
