José Aníbal Díaz

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Díaz and the second or maternal family name is Collazo.
José Aníbal Díaz
Member of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives from the 29th District
In office
November 16, 2015 – April 24, 2023
Preceded byCarlos Vargas Ferrer
Succeeded byGretchen Hau
Personal details
Born(1971-02-16)February 16, 1971
Cayey, Puerto Rico
DiedApril 24, 2023(2023-04-24) (aged 52)
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Political partyPopular Democratic Party (PPD)
SpouseMigdalia Santiago
ChildrenAleysha
José Aníbal
Alma materInstituto Tecnológico de Puerto Rico (AS)

José Aníbal Díaz Collazo (February 16, 1971 – April 24, 2023) was a Puerto Rican politician affiliated with the Popular Democratic Party (PPD). He was elected to replace Carlos Vargas Ferrer in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives in 2015 after Vargas' death. Díaz represented District 29 until his death in April 2023.[1]

Biography

Díaz Collazo grew up in the Jajóme Bajo sector of Cayey. His father is Aníbal Díaz Ofray.[2] Díaz has an associate degree in electrical engineering from the Instituto Tecnológico de Puerto Rico.

In the 1990s, Díaz started working as a housing inspector for the city of Cayey. After that, he worked as Director of Public Works for Cayey.[3]

On October 15, 2015, Díaz announced his intention to represent District 29 (which includes Cidra and Cayey) in the House of Representatives at the upcoming general elections. In his speech, he emphasized his service to his hometown of Cayey for the past 20 years.[4]

After the death of representative Carlos Vargas Ferrer, Díaz was selected to replace him in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives by the delegates of the Popular Democratic Party. His selection was unanimous, and was later ratified by the Governing Board of the Party.[5][6] Díaz was sworn in on November 16, 2015.[2]

Personal life and death

Díaz Collazo was married to Migdalia Santiago. He had two children, Aleysha and José Aníbal Díaz.[2]

Díaz Collazo died from cancer in San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 23, 2023, at the age of 52.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Juramenta hoy el sucesor de Carlos Vargas". NotiCel. November 16, 2015. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c Banuchi, Rebecca (November 16, 2015). "Juramenta sustituto de Vargas Ferrer". El Nuevo Día. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  3. ^ Rivera, Aurora (November 10, 2015). "Se prepara para llenar escaño de Vargas Ferrer". El Nuevo Día. Retrieved November 16, 2015.
  4. ^ "Nuevo representante en el PPD". La Cordillera. October 21, 2015. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  5. ^ Alvarez, Yennifer (November 8, 2015). "Ayudante del alcalde de Cayey ocuparía vacante de Vargas Ferrer". El Vocero. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  6. ^ Banuchi, Rebecca and Michelle Estrada (November 8, 2015). "PPD ratifica a Aníbal Díaz para llenar vacante de Carlos Vargas Ferrer". El Nuevo Día. Retrieved November 18, 2015.
  7. ^ Bauzá, Nydia (25 April 2023). "Legisladores rendirán honores fúnebres el miércoles a José Aníbal Díaz en el Capitolio". Primera Hora. Retrieved 25 April 2023.