Juan Angel “Nito” Arce
November 21, 1934 – April 10, 2020.
Beloved Papi, grandpa, great-grandpa, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Juan Angel “Nito” Arce, 85, a resident of Naples, Florida for the last two decades, passed away on Good Friday, April 10, 2020. Juan, who was lovingly called “Nito” by his family, was born in Hatillo, Puerto Rico. He lost both his parents by the age of 15, and migrated to New York City in the 1950’s. He loved Manhattan, the Mets and the Yankees.

Despite arriving in New York City with a limited education and no English, he believed that he would better his life for himself and his beloved daughters, Betsy and Elsa. He learned English, worked hard, and never gave up. Nito went from a Garment District worker to a butcher to a proud, card-carrying union member of Local 32BJ. For many decades he worked in luxury residential buildings in Manhattan, working his way up from handyman to superintendent of a Midtown Manhattan luxury high-rise, where he lived and worked.

Juan was a God-loving man who lived accordingly. He loved his family and believed we should help those in need. He opened his home to family members migrating to New York and helped them find work. A man of modest means, he contributed to charities helping children– his favorite – St. Jude’s Hospital for Children. That generosity extended to stray and abandoned animals. At one time, he was living and caring for 5 dogs in that luxury high-rise!

Juan loved watching TV, especially baseball (he was a walking baseball encyclopedia) and classic shows like Abbott & Costello and The Three Stooges that kept him laughing. With his big heart and big hugs, and his non-judgmental, caring way, he made others feel at ease and happy to be around him. He had a great disposition and got along with others very well. He treated all equally but would have no hesitation to speak up if he thought others were being treated unfairly.

He is survived by his daughters Betsy (Rene) Figueroa and Elsa (Karl Haeling) Arce; his grandsons Chris, John and Joel; his great-grandchildren Ethan and Verity; and his brothers Telesforo Arce, Efrain (Marie) Arce; and Isaias (Miriam) Arce.

Juan’s sense of humor and kind approach to life will be dearly missed. He will be forever loved. Rest in peace.