Dr. Jose Joaquin "Pepe" Goyenechea

Dr. Jose Joaquin Goyenechea (“Pepe,” as he was affectionately called by friends) passed away peacefully surrounded by loving family on Monday, September 10, 2018. Born in Santiago, Cuba, on December 5, 1923, he and his family made Lake City their home in 1971 after fleeing the oppressive communist government of his native land in 1964. During his childhood he was educated in La Salle Catholic School. He graduated from medical school at the University of Havana in 1949. He lost his father as an infant and his mother did not remarry but devoted her life to raising him and his brother and sister, all of whom predeceased him.

He met the love of his life, Flor Machado, in college. They were married for 61 years until her death in 2008. Together they formed a closed-knit, fun loving family of whom he was extremely proud. He is survived by three daughters, Ana Maria Tepedino (Jose); Dr. Tessy Goyenechea (Dr. Ed Dieguez); and Judge Leandra Johnson (Richard). His daughters gave him six cherished grandchildren, Jose Tepedino (Hillary); Dr. Miguel Tepedino (Dr. Kelly); Jossy Taylor (Lex); Tessly Ann Dieguez; Jess Johnson (Katie); and Major (USMCR) Bryson Johnson (Jill).  His grandchildren gave him seven great-grandchildren who brought him so much joy in his last years - Landon and Avery Johnson, Jake and Elizabeth Johnson, Taea and Lex Taylor and Ella Tepedino.

In addition to loving his family and friends, Dr. Goyenechea loved practicing medicine and helping his patients as an obstetrician and gynecologist until his retirement in 1988. He delivered thousands of babies during his career. During his practice he was also a member of several medical associations and served as chief of staff at Lake Shore Hospital and chief of surgery at Lake City Medical Center.

Although not born in the United States, he loved this great country and the freedoms it offered him and his family after communism forced him to leave the medical practice he had built there, his private hospital, and all other material possessions. His tenacity and determination to start over with nothing but hope at the age of 40 is a testament to his fighting spirit that carried him to the end.

A visitation for friends and family will be held on Friday, September 14 from 5:00–7:00 p.m. at Gateway Forest Lawn Funeral Home, 3596 US Highway 441, Lake City, Florida. Before the visitation, a Vigil Rite will be held at 4:15 in the same location, followed by prayer of the rosary.

A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 15 at 1:00 p.m. at Epiphany Catholic Church, 1905 Epiphany Court, Lake City, Florida, with interment following at Forest Lawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Epiphany Catholic Church.

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