Jose E. (Tito) Argamasilla Bacardi 1944-2011

Jose E. (Tito) Argamasilla Bacardi, 67, native of Cuba, passed away in Miami, Florida on October 18, 2011, surrounded by family and friends.

Tito Bacardi

Born in Santiago de Cuba in 1944, Tito was asked to join Bacardi Imports in 1969 by Pepin Bosch. His career with the company started in the marketing department as the Manager Special Events and Public Relations. Over the next 40 years, Tito was promoted to Director - Special Events; Assistant Vice President - Public Relations & Director of Bacardi Museum and then Vice President - Public Relations in 2002.

During his tenure at the company, Tito founded the Bacardi Museum at 2100 Biscayne Boulevard, which has evolved into today's very substantial company archive. Tito will also be fondly remembered for his role as the animated host of the Bacardi Cup in Miami over several decades. Tito's warm, generous and sociable spirit will always be remembered by his family and friends. He is survived by his mother Zenaida; his wife Susana; his children Jose (Cheryl), Francisco (Beatriz), Alejandro (Stephanie) and Javier (Karyl); his grandchildren Daniel, Christian, Susana, Alejandro, Mitchell, Luke, Emilia, Xavier and Sienna; and siblings Guadalupe (Hector), Zenaida (Armando), Amaro (Carmen) and Diana (Carlos).

Funeral services were held on Friday, October 21, 2011 at Epiphany Catholic Church, starting by family visitation from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., followed by a mass for the eternal rest of his soul at 12:30 p.m.

From Bill Allen, Star Class President:
All Tito's friends in the Star Class send our deepest sympathies to his family. We will miss his energy at the event he sponsored so enthusiastically. The Bacardi Cup has been one of our premiere events for 84 years. Tito was the primary driver of this event, which has led to the Star Class winter circuit.

Tito Bacardi grandson of the original founder Don Facundo Bacardi shows us around the original Bacardi building in Miami. Built in 1962 this iconic modernist landmark houses the museum and treasures from the long history of the Bacardi family who were driven into exile from Cuba. Designed by Enrique Guitierrez with mural tile by Artist Francisco Brennand. Meeting Tito Bacardi was a pleasure, a true gentlemen who believed staff were his family. Produced by Jeff Morgan, Jacqueline Obrien and Digby Fox Sailing Tv