
El Circulo Cubano 101
All you wanted to know compiled and edited by Lloyd Carrera Santos

Raul Lavin
Oldest living member of the Cuban Club
Age: 100 years old
Cuban Club interview on Spanish News.

Left to right: Raul and Dora Lavin, Isabel Ponce de Leon Lavin, Sandra Lavin Niles and Luis Lavin, Jr., submitted by Karen Niles Lavin; her tios Raul and Dora, abuelos Luis and Isabel Lavin, and mother, Karen Lavin Niles.

Mambi Award presented to Raul for “Member of the Year 2016”


L-R: Barry (Raul’s grandson), Larry (Raul’s son), Lindsey (great grand daughter), Raul, Pam (Raul’s grandson’s wife), Brantley (his great grandson).

Family reunion Uncle Raul 99 years old and still going strong! what a life time he has seen! Channing learning from her elder he is amazing.

Chimene and her Tio Raul smoking a Cuban from Ybor City at the beach.

Raul Lavin being granted the title of "Honorary General" of the Army de Los Mambis.

Raul Lavin's business card

El Círculo Cubano and Kreme of Mambi, Lifetime Achievement Award is presented to Raul Lavin for his dedication to our historic club and preservation of the Cuban Heritage

Raul Lavin honored as the Member of the Century by El Círculo Cubano de Tampa in 1999.

Chimene Diaz Armstrong with her Tio Raul

Raul, President and CEO of COSMO, Inc. standing left, in the 1950's, by one of his truck bodies being constructed in his warehouse.

Raul Lavin, President and CEO of COSMO, Inc.

Raul’s 98th Birthday Party, with cousins and family coming from all over the country! SURPRISE!!!!

Rena Marginal Bilella, Raul and Doris Arduengo (cousins)

Lloyd, Mr. & Mrs. Joe Arduengo, and Raul

Kim and Larry Lavin, Raul’s son and daughter-in-law

Cousins, Rena Marginal Bilella, CeCe Arduengo, Raul, Doris Arduengo, and son Larry Lavin at 98th party

newspaper article from La Gaceta page one

newspaper article from La Gaceta page one

Raul’s nephew, Emilio Diaz (1949-2008) and grand neice Chimene Diaz Armstrong

Tampa Trubune article

Members of the Board of Directors, September 22, 1937. Raul standing, back row, 3rd from right with white suit.

La Comparsa de Rendimiento del Círculo Cubano de Tampa a la Fiesta de Tabacos en Ybor City Performance Group of the Cuban Club of Tampa during the Fiesta of Cigars in Ybor City around the 1930’s. Raul standing in middle row, from right. Sister Hortensia is third person from Raul.

Raul is a 32nd degree Mason and at 98 years of age visited the George Washington Masonic Temple, in Alexandria, Virginia, 2015

Raul is a 32nd degree Mason and at 98 years of age visited the George Washington Masonic Temple, in Alexandria, Virginia, 2015

Raul with Paula cousins, John and Laurie Gallo at Luisanna Carrera and Ryan Timmons’ wedding in Washington, D.C. 2015

Raul with family, standing (left to right) his brother, Luis Lavin, Jr., sister, Hortensia, little Raul, sister, Tula and his mother, Mercedes Duarte and father, Luis Lavin, Sr. seated

Tampa Times News article page one

Tampa Times News article page two