Ignacio Flecha Casillas "Nacho"

Mr. Ignacio Flecha Casillas, age 93, of Pittsboro, NC, entered eternal rest on Friday, November 1, 2024.

The Obituary

Mr. Ignacio Flecha Casillas known as "Nacho" was born on November 15, 1931, in Humacao, Puerto Rico. He was one of nine children of Juan Flecha y Flecha (born in 1896) and Justa Casillas y Flecha (born in 1906), both also from Humacao.

In 1955, Nacho traveled from Humacao to Reading, Pennsylvania, under a work contract. When his contract ended, he decided to move to Brooklyn, New York, to seek better opportunities. He called his friend José Antonio Colón Ponce de León, who offered him a place to stay with his parents María Colón y Ponce de León and his father Jesús Colón Perez, so he could look for work. Nacho arrived in Brooklyn without speaking English or knowing the city, but with determination.

They lived in a small two-bedroom apartment at 959 Myrtle Ave in Brooklyn. In that home, María, her husband Jesús Colón Pérez, and their six children already lived. Despite the number of people in the house, Nacho was warmly welcomed. The day after his arrival, he told Doña María, “I’m going out to look for work.” Worried, she warned him he would get lost since he didn’t know the neighborhood, but Nacho replied, “I’ll leave signs as I walk, so I can find my way back.”

Indeed, Nacho returned that same day with the news that he had found a job. Nacho quickly started working and gave Doña María $10 from his salary out of gratitude, while also sending money to his parents in Puerto Rico. Despite his initial success, Nacho wasn’t content and kept looking for better opportunities. Thus, he got a job at the Consolidated Wafer Company, where he worked from 1956 until the factory closed.

During his stay with Doña María, she asked Nacho for help to bring her sister, Tita Ponce de León Díaz, from Puerto Rico, along with her two daughters, Doris and Miriam. Nacho with the help of Tita’s older son Jose Juan, who already was living in NY since 1953, saved enough money to bring Tita and her daughters to NY. When Nacho saw the photo of Tita that Doña María had, he said, “She’s going to be my wife.” Not only did he provide the money to help bring them over, but he also began a romance with Tita when she arrived in New York with her daughters.

Tita Ponce de León Díaz was born on January 4, 1917, in Barrio Marín, Patillas, Puerto Rico. Her parents were Luis Ponce de León, born on August 25, 1872, and Francisca Díaz y Telles, born around 1879, both from Patillas. Luis and Francisca were married on October 4, 1902, in Patillas, and had several children, including my mother, Tita.

Nacho and Mami were married on January 28, 1956, in a civil ceremony in Manhattan, New York. After the marriage, they moved to 356 Bushwick Ave in Brooklyn, where we formed a family along with my sister Miriam and I.

From the beginning, Nacho and Mami loved and deeply respected each other. I never witnessed any mistreatment, yelling, or disrespect. The only thing I saw between them was love, fidelity, and affection.

Nacho not only loved my mother, but he also loved me, my sister Miriam, and my brother José Luis as if we were his own children. Nacho lived for his family, and he adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. His greatest joy was seeing the family together when they came to visit, and he would rush to cook and set the table. Mami worked as a seamstress in a clothing factory in Brooklyn, owned by Doña María.

However, Tita's career was short, as she soon fell severely ill and spent long periods hospitalized. During those times, Nacho always cared for her with dedication and love. Not once did Nacho complain, have resentment or bitterness, or become angry with the circumstances. Instead, he sacrificially attended to Tita and patiently took care of her with a smile each day. 

In these last years, especially in October of 2024, the days have been very painful for those who love him as we watched his health decline and his pain increase. 

Nacho was a man of God, chosen by the Lord. Having faith in God gives us the certainty that, despite the suffering, there is a greater purpose. Nacho lived a life full of love, dedication, and service, and I feel fortunate to have shared these years with him. 

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Professional services entrusted to Knotts Funeral Home - Pittsboro, NC