Nelson Mena

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He was born on December 20, 1940, in Lajas, Cuba, and lived a life marked by endurance, devotion to family, humor, and deep love.

Nelson Domingo Mena, of Cypress, California, passed away peacefully in his sleep on August 25, 2026, after a short battle with cancer. He was born on December 20, 1940, in Lajas, Cuba, and lived a life marked by endurance, devotion to family, humor, and deep love.

Nelson lived in Santo Domingo, Cuba until he left with his family on July 8, 1970. Before he was allowed to leave Cuba, he was sent to a labor camp for 25 months, where he cut down sugar cane. That difficult chapter became part of the sacrifice he made so his family could have a better future. After leaving Cuba, the family spent three years in Madrid, Spain, waiting for the paperwork that would allow them to enter the United States. During that time, his sisters in the United States helped support the family by sending money while he waited for a U.S. visa. In August 1973, the family was granted visas to enter the United States and was reunited with four of his six sisters and their families.

Once in the United States, Nelson worked odd jobs as he built a life for those he loved. One family story about his early days in the U.S, was the time he was working at a liquor store and confronted someone trying to rob it. He pulled out a gun and threatened the robber, who ran away, but Nelson lost his job for it. It was a moment that reflected his fearless, protective nature and his readiness to act when something was wrong.

Above all, Nelson was a family man. He was an incredible father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who did whatever he had to do to care for his loved ones. His proudest accomplishments centered on his family: buying a home for them, caring for that home, seeing his children grow in their careers, and watching his grandchildren pursue their education. His family felt his love daily, not only in the major sacrifices he made, but in the countless small actions that filled ordinary life with steadiness and care.

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His proudest accomplishments centered on his family: buying a home for them, caring for that home, and watching his grandchildren pursue their education.

Nelson also brought joy and personality to every room. He had a wicked sense of humor and loved to tease people, especially his wife. He delighted in saying something outrageous, watching her react, and then winking at everyone else nearby. He and his daughter-in-law, Isela, teased each other mercilessly and enjoyed every minute of it. Because of congenital cataracts, Nelson often squinted to see clearly, which gave him a look that made many think he was angry, and his children’s friends were often intimidated when they first came by. Those who knew him, however, knew the warmth, laughter, and affection behind that expression.

He was also known as a sharp dresser, something his family lovingly attributed to growing up with six sisters. Nelson always wanted his family to dress their best and look presentable. At home, he loved gardening and spent hours in the backyard caring for his fruit trees. At the time of his passing, he had three guava trees and many papaya trees, more than the family could eat. He also loved tending his roses and cutting the grass much higher than anyone else in the neighborhood. He shared his love of animals with his children as well, spending countless hours watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom with them when they first arrived in the United States and encouraging their love of pets. Birds, turtles, fish, dogs, and cats all found a place in family life, usually one animal at a time, in consideration of his wife’s wishes.

Nelson is survived by his beloved wife, Elvia, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage and a lifetime of devotion. Together they built a family that was the center of his world. He is also survived by his daughter, Elizabeth, and his son, Nelson Jr.. Nelson Jr. and his wife, Isela, carry forward his love of family alongside their children Martin, Tanya, Kevin, Jaquelynn, and Andres, and their 10 grandchildren. He was also very close to Elizabeth's daughter Katherine, who was raised in their home, and with Jaquelynn's daughter Cali, who was his partner in crime and shared all her snacks with him in his later years.

He is further survived by his sisters, Zeida and Zoraida, and by the many nieces and nephews of his six sisters. He also leaves behind his brother-in-law Pedro Martinez, Pedro’s wife Felicita, and their family. The love of his family was the great work of his life, and that love continues in the generations he helped shape.

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He had a wicked sense of humor and loved to tease people, especially his wife.

He was preceded in death by his father, Rogelio; his mother, Digna; and his sisters Zobeida, Zenaida, Zermaida, and Zoneida.

A visitation for Nelson Mena will be held on September 2, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Forest Lawn - Cypress - Church of Our Fathers, 4471 Lincoln Avenue, Cypress, California 90630. Funeral services will be held there on September 3, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Nelson Mena will be remembered for his strength, his wit, his pride in his family, and the steadfast love he gave so freely. His life was one of sacrifice and perseverance, but also of laughter, roses, papaya trees, snappy clothes, teasing smiles, and a home built with care. He will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by all who knew him.