Eleazar Cirilo

this section in memory of my father . . .

Eleazar is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, about five miles outside of Jena, in LaSalle Parish, Louisiana. His marker is posted in our cemetery section ... click here to view it with some related genealogical data: Eleazar Cirilo gravestone.

This section is not so much about the poet or writer that lived in my daddy's heart, as it is the love and devotion he held for his family, laid bare with every word he wrote.

From the close of one of Daddy's letters, I quote the following:

It is to that end that I create this section on Tarver-Gen ... a growing collection from Daddy's letters.

His birth certificate reads b. August 18, 1919, Yorktown, Hidalgo Co., Texas. His death certificate notes his passing on March 6, 1996, Lake Providence, East Carroll Pa., La. He was the eldest son of Guadalupe Guerra and Constancio Cirilo.

His mother confided that his birth certificate had been purchased of a country doctor. Chal, as his family called him, was born in Old Mexico -- exactly where, I do not know. Mama's family called him Charlie. All of his children called him Daddy. He liked to say he was the "daddy of the whole bunch." And indeed, we thought he was.

The works published here were written over a lifetime: poems, notes, letters ... occasionally mailed, more often tucked away. Sometimes scribbled on the back of an old envelope. More often, long drafts on onion skin or notebook paper, penned in beautiful script, while the dawn broke quietly over his sleeping household. We cherish the memories he left us. I will add more of his poetry, letters and prose, as time permits. Please check back. Let me know if you enjoy these pages, posted here as a tribute to my father.

CONTENTS - To turn the music off, click on the small console near the bottom of the page.

Poetry & Prose

Letters

Recollections

Genealogical notes & gravestone images

Miscellaneous

All works here, Copyright © Lotus D. Cirilo, 1999, 2001

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