Rafael Cotto

COTTO, RAFAEL, April 1, 1918 - January 26, 2008. "He Even Preached In His Sleep" The Rev. Dr. Rafael Cotto, Pastor Emeritus of the Church of the Good Neighbor on Boggy Creek Road in Kissimmee, passed away on Saturday, January 26, 2008. His father was a farmer from the countryside who one day went on his horse to the city marketplace to sell his produce and met the first American missionary seen at the time. He so enjoyed what the missionary was saying that he invited him to visit his farm so that he could speak to the farmhands and their families. That visit produced the beginning of a dynasty of pastors throughout the island of Puerto Rico. Rafael was 19 when he left his beloved island to study at the Latin American Bible Institute in San Jose, Costa Rica. In 1937, his family and friends saw his potential as a speaker and preacher and paid all his expenses for the three years he attended the Institute. Rafael returned to Puerto Rico to pastor churches in a few small towns. The short pastorates left a good taste in his mouth and an unforgettable imprint on simple, loving, hard-working people who helped mold a young pastor. He moved to New York City to pursue his studies. There he met Ida and they were married in 1945 by his brother Pablo, who had been a pastor in New York City for many years. Ida was the pianist of that church and her parents were members. They had four children in the ensuing years. In 1952, Rafael received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Shelton College. In 1954, he received a Masters Degree in Public Administration at New York University. During this time, he was pastor of the Presbyterian Spanish Church of the Good Neighbor in New York City. He earned his Masters in theology at Union Theological Seminary in New York City in 1961. After 19 years in New York City, he was offered a position as registrar/chaplain at the Presbyterian-founded Inter-American University in San German, Puerto Rico. So, in 1963, the entire family moved and settled very nicely into their new home. He worked for the University 24 years as professor and director of a regional branch in Ponce and in the interim received a Masters Degree in Education and a Doctorate at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA in 1973. His wife Ida always quipped, "he had more degrees than a thermometer." His other great gift was founding churches and throughout his life he started three churches in Ponce. Once retired, he also founded the Spanish Church of the Good Neighbor on Boggy Creek Road in Kissimmee, Florida. Because of his dynamic preaching, he was invited to speak at many churches on the island of Puerto Rico and in Latin and South America. . His wife even has cassette tapes of Rafael fervently preaching in his sleep. He had ten brothers who were pastors at one time and his son David is presently a pastor in Springfield, Ohio. In 1987, Rafael and Ida moved to Florida to be nearer to their children and three granddaughters. This humble servant was much loved by all who knew him, Rafael was a good husband, father, pastor, preacher, and teacher. Surviving him are his wife Ida, Rafael Jr., son David and his wife Tina, daughters Miriam and Lisa, and granddaughters Tabitha, Hannah, and Robin. Memorial service will be at the St. Cloud Presbyterian Church located at 909 10th Street and Indiana in St. Cloud, Saturday, February 2nd at 11AM. Arrangements are entrusted to Osceola Memory Gardens, 1717 Old Boggy Creek Road, Kissimmee, FL 34744. 407-847-2494