Raffaele Portuese Pannuzzo

Raffaele Portuese Pannuzzo falleció el 14 de enero del 2026, rodeado de su familia.

Orgulloso Siciliano, Raffaele nació en Libia en 1941, en tiempos de guerra. Con apenas un año de edad, logró escapar de Libia gracias al coraje y la visión de su amado padre, regresando a Italia, donde creció en Palazzolo Acreide, Sicilia. Esa temprana historia de desplazamiento, resiliencia y supervivencia marcó profundamente al hombre en el que se convertiría.

En sus veintes, Raffaele emigró a Venezuela, donde se casó, formó su familia y construyó un legado duradero. Ingeniero Civil, constructor y exitoso empresario, desempeñó un papel fundamental en el desarrollo de la ciudad de Maracaibo, dejando edificaciones que aún hoy son íconos de la ciudad. Su ética de trabajo era incomparable, su inteligencia formidable y sus estándares exigentes.

Raffaele era fuerte, apasionado y poseía una presencia imponente que llenaba cualquier espacio, pero bajo esa fortaleza habitaba un corazón grande y generoso. Verdadero esgrimista intelectual, era capaz de sostener largas y profundas conversaciones, siempre comprometido con las ideas, las personas y la vida. Amó profundamente su apellido, a su familia y, por encima de todo, le dedicó sus esfuerzos a sus dos hijos, por quienes hizo todo.

Fue miembro activo del Rotary Club de Maracaibo durante 41 años, desempeñando numerosos roles de liderazgo, incluyendo el de Presidente en múltiples ocasiones, dejando una huella perdurable a través de su servicio y compromiso con la comunidad.

Raffaele fue un hombre de carácter excepcional: intenso, brillante, apasionado e inolvidable. Quienes lo conocieron sabían que estaban frente a alguien verdaderamente único.

Le sobreviven su amada esposa Isabel; sus hijos Gustavo y Juan Carlos; sus nietas Valeria y Natalia; su hermana Maria; sus nueras Veronica y Karitza; y numerosos sobrinos y sobrinas 

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Raffaele Portuese Pannuzzo passed away on January 14, 2026, surrounded by family.

A proud Sicilian, Raffaele was born in Libya in 1941, during a time of war while Italy occupied the country. At just one year old, he escaped Libya thanks to the courage and foresight of his beloved father, returning to Italy where he was raised in Palazzolo Acreide, Sicily. That early history of displacement, resilience, and survival shaped the man he would become.

In his twenties, Raffaele emigrated to Venezuela, where he married, raised his family, and built a lasting legacy. A Civil Engineer, builder, and highly successful businessman, he played a formative role in shaping the city of Maracaibo, constructing buildings that remain icons of the city to this day. His work ethic was unmatched, his intelligence formidable, and his standards exacting.

Raffaele was tough, passionate, and possessed a commanding presence that filled every room, yet beneath it all was a giant and generous heart. An intellectual pugilist, he was capable of long, searching conversations and deeply engaged with ideas, people, and the world around him. He loved his family name, his family and, above all, devoted himself to his two sons, for whom he did everything.

He was an active member of the Rotary Club of Maracaibo for 41 years, serving in many leadership roles, including President on multiple occasions, and leaving a lasting impact through his service, leadership, and commitment to community.

Raffaele was a man of rare character: intense, brilliant, passionate, and unforgettable. Those who knew him understood they were in the presence of someone truly unique.

He is survived by his wife Isabel; his sons Gustavo and Juan Carlos; his granddaughters Valeria and Natalia; his sister Maria; his daughters-in-law Veronica and Karitza; and many nieces and nephews who will carry his memory forward.