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Posted by Paul Bithorn on 16:54:56 11/01/06
It is with a heavy heart that I must report the passing of longtime Tropical Audubon Society member, field trip leader, birder extraordinaire, and my dear friend, Juan Villamil, of cardiac arrest this past Sunday night at the tender age of 53.
I first met Juan on a TAS fieldtrip at Loxahatcheee N.W.R. in 1983 and was impressed with his birding prowess as the point man for trip leader, Mort Cooper. Our friendship would endure for the next 23 years and the highlight of my year was the field trip that we co-led to Shark Valley and Loop Road for so many mango seasons. His incredible eyes and ears would pick up birds that us mere mortals would have missed out on without his presence.
Juan was a always a fixture riding shotgun with Mort and would spot rails and bitterns along the roadside while traveling at 55 miles per hour. A man of few words, humility was hallmark of his personality. He would make annual trips all over the U.S. and Canada, attending many regional A.B.A. Regional Conferences, including those in South Florida, where he was in great demand as a leader. He compiled the birds seen at Greynolds Park as part of the Dade County CBC for more than twenty years.
I never could get him to share with me as to what his ABA or Florida lists were. I'm not even sure he kept a lifelist. He birded for the pure pleasure of being outdoors with his friends and enjoying the pure wonderment of birds.
After his dear friend and mentor, Mort Cooper moved out of state, he spent many a weekend criss-crossinng the state with dear friend and fellow birder, Kevin Sarsfield. I had the distinct pleasure of joining them on many an adventure and out of respect to Juan, made sure he always road shotgun.
After suffering from the effects of a stroke several years ago, he was forced to retire after more than twenty years of service at NAPA Auto Parts, but his passion for birding never waned.
My fellow gourmand always looked forward to our stops at Shorty's BBQ in Clewiston or Flo and Ella's in Labelle. Brunswick Stew and onion rings were his personal favorites.
His last TAS bird-walk was September 16th at Cape Florida.The heat was unbearable that day, but Juan never complained. He recently experienced kidney problems and I visited him soonafter, letting him know that he would be with us in spirit at the October 21st Shark Valley field trip. He gave me a big smile and little did I know that we would be parting ways for the last time.
Juan is survived by his parents, a brother and sister and countless friends scattered across the country. Private services have already been held.
Juan, we're gonna miss you. Life is good...............knowing that Juan is no longer suffering and is birding in a place where Birds of Paradise abound.
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