By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP) – With contributions from Joe Awe
A Belizean family is celebrating a remarkable milestone as their patriarch, Don Enrique DePaz, affectionately known as “Man Alive,” turns 97. His loved ones describe him as a man whose life has been defined by humility, wisdom, dignity, and an extraordinary ability to love each member of his family deeply and individually.
Born in a “mud-floor, thatch house,” Don Enrique’s humble beginnings shaped the character that carried him through nearly a century of experiences. Though his early environment offered few opportunities, he carved a journey that took him far beyond what anyone could have imagined.
Family members recount stories of him dining with leaders, shaking hands with royalty, and navigating spaces of influence, yet remaining grounded, warm, and entirely himself. As they put it, he truly exemplifies Kipling’s words: “Walk with kings, nor lose the common touch.”
Despite never having attended high school, Don Enrique developed a mind revered for its encyclopedic knowledge, keen memory, and unmatched storytelling. His insights into history, people, land, and Belizean culture have long made him a living archive and an elder whose wisdom enriches all who sit with him.
But his family says his greatest gift is the love he gave his children. Each grew up believing they were the most important person in his world, a rare and powerful ability that has shaped generations.
To honor his 97 years, his family has offered blessings inspired by various global traditions, from Maya to Garifuna, Irish, Jewish, and Japanese cultural expressions, reflecting the universal admiration he inspires.
Today, Don Enrique remains vibrant, sharp, humorous, and full of life. His family says they are “fortunate beyond measure” to still have him blessing them with stories, laughter, and love.
They close their tribute with unwavering gratitude: “You are our Querido Viejo, our Man Alive, and our greatest blessing.”
The post Family celebrates the life and legacy of 97-year-old Don Enrique DePaz appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP) – With contributions from Joe Awe A Belizean family is celebrating a remarkable milestone as their patriarch, Don Enrique DePaz, affectionately known as “Man Alive,” turns 97. His loved ones describe him as a man whose life has been defined by humility, wisdom, dignity, and an extraordinary ability to
The post Family celebrates the life and legacy of 97-year-old Don Enrique DePaz appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
