2024 El "Día De San Juan" Salsa Festival Dedication
Felix Enrique Polanco-Reyes
Sunrise: June 5, 1938 – Sunset: January 24, 2024
Felix Enrique Polanco-Reyes, was born to Aurea and Apolonio Polanco in Manati, Puerto Rico, where he grew up with his brothers and sisters in a loving, blended family. Like many during this era, he completed grade school and entered the workforce. His motivation to work hard laid the foundation for his entire life and allowed him to provide a wonderful life for his family.
Felix met the beautiful Josefina Colón, when she traveled from New York to Puerto Rico to visit her family. Although they grew up and lived in the same town of Manati for years, it was during this vacation that the two met. After courting her they were married and raised six beautiful daughters.
Around 1968, Felix decided to pursue a better life for his family and headed west to San Francisco. He secured a job with United Airlines where he worked for over 30 years. In San Francisco, Felix established himself as a pillar of the community. He and his wife Josefina were heavily involved in El Club Puertorriqueño de San Francisco. He also supported Josefina’s entrepreneurial endeavors through “Josie’s Boutique,” a few doors from El Club Puertorriqueño.
During the 1980s, Felix was elected President of El Club Puertorriqueño de San Francisco. He was honored and proud to serve for an organization that dates back to 1912. While in office, Felix met with Mayor Diane Feinstein and successfully advocated for the city to raise the Puerto Rican flag for Dia de San Juan. No matter how far Felix was from Puerto Rico, he made it a point to represent and make it known that the Boricuas were present.
He went on to make an impact in his local community of Fairfield, where he also served as President of the Puerto Rican Club of Solano County. In 2016, he founded the Puerto Rican Cancer and Kidney Foundation to provide support and resources for people who are affected by cancer and kidney issues.
Felix founded Borinquen Productions in his 80s. It was a company that produced events such as car shows, dances, and picnics where the Puerto Rican Cancer and Kidney Foundation could fundraise and build awareness in the community. There was no better look on his face than the radiant glow of when he saw his family and community come together for something he created.
All in all, Felix met everyone with love, respect, and kindness. His spirit of love and hard work will continue to thrive for generations.
As he would say, “Sigue Pa'lante”… keep moving forward!.
Sunrise: June 5, 1938 – Sunset: January 24, 2024
Felix Enrique Polanco-Reyes, was born to Aurea and Apolonio Polanco in Manati, Puerto Rico, where he grew up with his brothers and sisters in a loving, blended family. Like many during this era, he completed grade school and entered the workforce. His motivation to work hard laid the foundation for his entire life and allowed him to provide a wonderful life for his family.
Felix met the beautiful Josefina Colón, when she traveled from New York to Puerto Rico to visit her family. Although they grew up and lived in the same town of Manati for years, it was during this vacation that the two met. After courting her they were married and raised six beautiful daughters.
Around 1968, Felix decided to pursue a better life for his family and headed west to San Francisco. He secured a job with United Airlines where he worked for over 30 years. In San Francisco, Felix established himself as a pillar of the community. He and his wife Josefina were heavily involved in El Club Puertorriqueño de San Francisco. He also supported Josefina’s entrepreneurial endeavors through “Josie’s Boutique,” a few doors from El Club Puertorriqueño.
During the 1980s, Felix was elected President of El Club Puertorriqueño de San Francisco. He was honored and proud to serve for an organization that dates back to 1912. While in office, Felix met with Mayor Diane Feinstein and successfully advocated for the city to raise the Puerto Rican flag for Dia de San Juan. No matter how far Felix was from Puerto Rico, he made it a point to represent and make it known that the Boricuas were present.
He went on to make an impact in his local community of Fairfield, where he also served as President of the Puerto Rican Club of Solano County. In 2016, he founded the Puerto Rican Cancer and Kidney Foundation to provide support and resources for people who are affected by cancer and kidney issues.
Felix founded Borinquen Productions in his 80s. It was a company that produced events such as car shows, dances, and picnics where the Puerto Rican Cancer and Kidney Foundation could fundraise and build awareness in the community. There was no better look on his face than the radiant glow of when he saw his family and community come together for something he created.
All in all, Felix met everyone with love, respect, and kindness. His spirit of love and hard work will continue to thrive for generations.
As he would say, “Sigue Pa'lante”… keep moving forward!.
Mildred Bryson-Davis
Mildred Bryson-Davis was an enthusiastic and long-time member and supporter of the Western Region Puerto Rican Council (WRPRC) and the Puerto Rican Organization United for Development (PROUD).
Mildred was secretary to the now-defunct Mountain View Puerto Rican Club before 2008. Then went on to be a delegate for PROUD in 2008. She was deeply connected to WRPRC/PROUD for over 20 years and served as the WRPRC’s Secretary from 2010 to 2014. Mildred held numerous positions in both organizations throughout that time, serving as Vice President, Secretary, Delegate, and Event Coordinator.
We know through Mildred’s daughters, that she felt honored to be affiliated with and participate in WRPRC/PROUD’s activities and initiatives. She was a strong supporter of higher education for our Puerto Rican youth. Mildred represented, uplifted, and enhanced our culture by committing her time and energy to coordinating dinner dances, serving on the WRPRC/PROUD Scholarship Committees, and attending monthly meetings, even after her cancer diagnosis.
Mildred was dedicated to the end, and we are all grateful to her for all she contributed to WRPRC/PROUD organizations. She was a remarkable Puerto Rican woman who will be greatly missed.
Mildred Bryson-Davis was an enthusiastic and long-time member and supporter of the Western Region Puerto Rican Council (WRPRC) and the Puerto Rican Organization United for Development (PROUD).
Mildred was secretary to the now-defunct Mountain View Puerto Rican Club before 2008. Then went on to be a delegate for PROUD in 2008. She was deeply connected to WRPRC/PROUD for over 20 years and served as the WRPRC’s Secretary from 2010 to 2014. Mildred held numerous positions in both organizations throughout that time, serving as Vice President, Secretary, Delegate, and Event Coordinator.
We know through Mildred’s daughters, that she felt honored to be affiliated with and participate in WRPRC/PROUD’s activities and initiatives. She was a strong supporter of higher education for our Puerto Rican youth. Mildred represented, uplifted, and enhanced our culture by committing her time and energy to coordinating dinner dances, serving on the WRPRC/PROUD Scholarship Committees, and attending monthly meetings, even after her cancer diagnosis.
Mildred was dedicated to the end, and we are all grateful to her for all she contributed to WRPRC/PROUD organizations. She was a remarkable Puerto Rican woman who will be greatly missed.