Juan Texidor, a long time community leader and radio personality in Buffalo’s Puerto Rican community, entered into rest February 7, 2018; beloved husband of the late Isabel Marquez of Truillo Alto, Puerto Rico. Cherished grandfather of Nadia and Ilyssa Martinez; dear brother of Jose Rivera, Sanitago and Felica Rivera: fond uncle of Marisol Rivera, Sylvia Irizarry Marquez, Liz Irizarry Marquez, Mayra Delgado Marquez; Spiritual son Edwin Martinez, Yuri Cisneros and Iris Diaz; also survived by relatives and friends.

Juan Texidor was born in Ciudad de Guayama, Puerto Rico and migrated to Western New York in 1951. Juan completed formal education in Puerto Rico. Juan enjoyed a 35-year career at the Ford Motor Company and was very active in Democratic politics and Buffalo’s Hispanic/Latino community. He eventually became a very well-known voice on the airwaves with his weekly Spanish language radio program “Ecos Borincanos” which spanned almost 40 years. Juan was one of the founding fathers of the Pucho Olivencia Center on Swan Street and was a founding member of Hispanics United of Buffalo and many of the organizations that served Buffalo’s Latino/Hispanic community.  Juan was at the forefront of many of the social changes taking place in Buffalo, especially, in education, social justice, economics and politics

Juan Texidor served as the announcer of the Annual Grease Pole Festival for 46 Years.

Interview with Nicki Mayo below:

Radio Personality and Community Servant Juan Texidor

“This is classic salsa down here. This is romantic. Many boleros too,” said Buffalo’s Juan Texidor pointing to his extensive music collection. Texidor loves Latin music almost as much as he loves the Buffalo’s Latino community. The radio personality is the voice of WBBF’s “Ecos Boricanos” classic salsa show that has spanned almost 40 years.

“ Sixty- Seven years ago I came here to Buffalo. 67 years ago,” he said with a chuckle.

The Puerto Rican native moved to Queen City in 1951 to work at the Ford Plant, but Texidor says his life’s work lives through his community service.

“My joy is to help the community. Whenever they need me and I can help I go and help,” said Texidor. He retired from Ford in the mid 1980’s and has volunteered with civic groups ever since. Texidor held offices with the Puerto Rican Society for Mutual Help, The Puerto Rican American Community Association and Hispanic United of Buffalo. This last year Hispanic United is honoring Texidor’s community service. He says the organization has been the primary force working to building Buffalo’s Latino community.  Juan Texidor spent a lifetime in teaching children to read thru literacy Volunteers, with a goal of inspiring children to read books and learn about history and learning thru reading.  Juan Texidor was also at the forefront of educational reform in Bilingual Education.

“That center is helping the community a lot. Last year they helped 18,000 people,” smiled Texidor. He says he doesn’t know what would happen if the organization ever left Buffalo.

A devoted Niagara District resident, Texidor says he’ll never leave Buffalo. But he has watched many Latinos excel and then exit the Queen City.

“They got their education here. They progress over here. Then they move out over here. Some of them don’t care about the community anymore,” said the Hispanic sage.

Texidor says he cares for his 3000 plus records the same way he watches over his community.

“I don’t use this anymore,’ he said pointing to the vinyl records. “What I do with this is, pass it to CD,” he said showing he’s not afraid to change.

The radio Host says now more than ever it’s important to preserve Western New York’s Latino/ Hispanic traditions and pass it one to the next generation.

“We’ve been progressing slow, but we’re progressing,” said Texidor with a smile.