Father Aguilera, 80, dies

Father Rafael Martin Juantorena Aguilera died peacefully at his residency on Saturday, Sept. 17, at the age of 80. 

He was born May 7, 1942, in Santiago de Cuba to Martin Juantorena and Mercedes Aguilera. He left Cuba in 1961 after Fidel Castro took over the country. 

He graduated as an electrical engineer in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico and came to Louisiana to pursue his masters and doctorate degrees in chemical engineering at Louisiana State University, where he graduated in 1977. He worked in the petro-chemical industry for many years until he answered the calling to priesthood.

 He pursued his theology studies in Salamanca, Spain and Boston, where he was ordained in June, 1998. In October he was appointed chaplain and director of the Hispanic Apostolate in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, where he stayed until his retirement in 2011. 

He was in residence at Our Lady of Mercy  Church and St. Louis King of France Church, both in Baton Rouge.

Father Aguilera was happiest when he was serving and spiritually guiding the community. 

He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister. 

A funeral Mass was celebrated Sept. 24 at St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge. 

To view and sign the online guestbook, please visit rabenhorst.com.