U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is mourning the death of father Enrique Ros, who passed away at the age of 89 in Miami Wednesday night.
Ros, a writer and prominent member of Miami's Cuban exile community, died of respiratory complications at South Miami Hospital.
"My dad was and will always be the wind beneath my wings. His passing leaves in us a loss that is eternal and deep," Ros-Lehtinen said in a statement Thursday. "'Abu Kiki' as we lovingly called him was the center, the foundation of us all, and the one person who kept us grounded and confident in the path our lives had taken."
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Ros had written 19 books on Cuban history and politics and was working on his 20th, Ros-Lehtinen said.
"All who shared my father’s life knew that he was happiest when he was busy doing research and writing his books," she said. "His beloved library was a meeting ground for our family and he kept a detailed log of all the articles and pictures that told the story of my family’s life and of his cherished books."
Local politicians took to Twitter to offer condolences to Ros-Lehtinen and her brother, Henry Ros.
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"Our prayers for @RosLehtinen on the loss of her father Enrique Ros, a great man," Sen. Marco Rubio wrote.
"Our prayers are with Ileana Ros and her family with the passing of her dad, Enrique. He was a fine man!" former Gov. Jeb Bush Tweeted.
The wake has been scheduled for Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. at Caballero Rivero Woodlawn at 8200 Southwest 40th Street in Miami. The funeral will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Saint Agatha Catholic Church at 111 Southwest 107th Avenue in Miami.
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