Efrain Maldonado

Efrain Maldonado, 88, of Springfield, MA passed away on January 13th. Maldo, a United States Veteran who served in the Korean War, was born February 15th, 1933 in Florida, Puerto Rico to the late Ramon Maldonado and Celedonia Soto. He worked for many years for Santurce Telecommunications in Puerto Rico. He later moved to the United States where he raised his family. Maldo was a gifted musician who loved to play at his church and nursing homes in Kissimme, Florida. He especially enjoyed the guitar and cuatro. Maldo also enjoyed classic cars, including the ’57 Chevy he restored in Puerto Rico. He will be missed by his large and loving family including his beloved wife Maria A. Maldonado, his daughter Sheila, step children Cristobal Jr., Maggie, Yolanda, Iris, Ivonne, and Sandy. He will also be missed by his 10 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, as well as, other family and close friends.

The family invites the public to gather on Thursday, January 21st from 11:30am -12pm for a period of visitation at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home at 220 North Main St in East Longmeadow. Social distance and masks required. Funeral service will beginning at 12 noon until 1pm. A burial with military honors will follow at the Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery at 2pm.

Please click here to access live streaming of the service. Please note you will need to enter the below information to log in and view the service.
Event ID: ForastiereSFCEL
Password: UNGIYP

Memorial contributions in Maldo’s memory may be made on behalf of the soldier to the Veterans Association at 25 North Main Street Building 6 Leeds, MA 01053. Maldo’s family would also like to give a very special thank you to Dr. Pastrana at the Springfield VA, EMTs and Baystate ICU nurses and doctors for their exceptional compassionate care shown to him and the family in his final days. His last words to those who visited him at home: "Si no me bendices, no te vas" (I won't let you go unless you bless me). The family is at peace knowing he joined the Lord's Army.