An Icon Passes
Carlos Arturo Fuente, the head of Arturo Fuente Cigars for many years, passed away at the age of 81 in august, the company has announced in a statement.
Fuente was known as one of the great pioneers of the cigar industry during the 20th century. He inherited his passion of cigars from his father, arturo, the founder of Arturo Fuente Cigars. Carlos Fuente took the reins of the cigar company from a very young age, building it from a tiny company to one of the largest and most respected premium cigar companies in the world.
“Carlos served as a leader, mentor and inspiration to many people in the cigar industry,” the company said in its statement.
“Carlos led by example, not with words. He asked nothing of others that he did not demand of himself. His loyalty and honesty were legendary. Carlos was extremely generous during his life, but by choice, he gave to those in need with little or no recognition.”
Fuente was born in 1935, in Tampa, Florida, to Arturo and Cristina Fuente. At the age of 18, he married the love of his life, Anna Louisa Lopez Fuente, who he celebrated 62 years of marriage with until her death on 2015.
Fuente was known for being dedicated to his home town of tampa, where he maintained the company headquarters, but also to his adopted home of Santiago, Dominican Republic, where his cigar factories and plantations were located.
Fuente was known to have developed great admiration for the people of the Dominican Republic, particularly for his many friends and those who work for the Fuente companies.
Carrying on the family tradition, Fuente was happy to have his son, Carlos Fuente Jr., and daughter, Cynthia Fuente Suarez, work with him in the company, which has persevered as a family business since 1912.
The Arturo Fuente brand has become increasingly popular in the Middle East over the past few years, with members of Virtuozity’s Club Limitada appreciating the quality and taste of the cigars. The family has also shown immense interest in the region, with Carlos Fuente Jr. having visited Dubai numerous times over the past two years.
Fuente is succeeded by his children, Carlos Fuente Jr., Cynthia Fuente Suarez, and Rachel Fuente. He also leaves behind grandchildren Liana Fuente, Rosanna Fuente, Christina Suarez, Lidiana Fuente, Bianca suarez, Sofia Fuente and Carlos Fuente III.
His great grandchildren are Alvaro Valerio Jr., Arturo Valerio, and Anna Valentina Valerio. Arturo’s brother, Arturo Fuente, also lives on.
A funeral was held on august 13 at st. Joseph Catholic Church in Tampa. After the mass, the family hosted a ‘Celebration of life’ at the Fuente Building.