Resolution 462-2001
COMMISSIONER DIXIE M. SPEHAR
RESOLUTION NO. 462 -2001
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF MONROE COUNTY IN
RECOGNITION OF THE LATE DR. JOSE BOFILL
WHEREAS, Dr. Jose Bofill passed away at his home in Miami at the age of 85 on October 8,
2001; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bofillleft Cuba in 1962 where he was a professor of pulmonary diseases at the
University of Havana. Upon arriving in the United States he lived in Miami, Virginia and Georgia before
settling in Key West in 1974 with his wife, Zenaida, and two children, Jose and Zen ita; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bofill was the first physician in Key West to treat the hordes of immigrants
arriving in Key West during the Mariel boat lift, and headed the Monroe County Health Department for
ten years; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bofill's patients did not always pay him in cash. He often accepted payment
from his poor, uninsured patients in the form of mangoes, avocados and bags of shrimp.
WHEREAS, Dr. Bofill was vice president of the Cuban Heritage Museum and served as its
president in the late I 970s, when plans were evolving to restore the old building on Duval Street; and
WHEREAS, his son, Jose Bofill, noted that his father loved fishing and hunting and recalled the
contagious smile on his father's face when he could spend a day fishing on his 30-foot boat, the Que Pasa
II; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bofill moved to Miami last year to be closer to his children and grandchildren,
Jake and Jordan; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Bofill often treated patients out of his home in Key West, and the same was true
when he moved to Miami last year until a few months ago when his health prevented it; and
WHEREAS, his son said, "He dedicated his life to healing and curing," and Rafael Penalver
said, "He was a man who thoroughly enjoyed the company of people." Now, therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MONROE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS:
Section 1:
The Board hereby adopts this Resolution as an expression to the family of their
deepest sympathy in the passing of the late Dr. Jose Bofil!.
Section 2:
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar forwards a copy of this Resolution to his beloved
family.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County, Florida,
at a meeting of said Board held on the 10t-h day of
November
, A.D., 2001.
Commissioner George Neugent
Commissioner Nora Williams
Commissioner Charles "Sonny" McCoy
Commissioner Murray Nelson
Commissioner Dixie M. Spehar
YP~
ye~
yes
yes
yes
-Q.~~t-)
Deputy Clerk
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By Mayoqrman
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