Misael Mastrapa was born on December 7, 1934, at the Colonia Mastrapa in Oriente near Victoria de las Tunas, Cuba. He was a strong and vigorous child. During his childhood he demonstrated to be intellectually gifted. Misael was always inquisitive and wanted to know everything.
He studied elementary grade school at the family owned Mastrapa church school. After sixth grade he went on to the Colegio de las Antillas in Santa Clara, Cuba. Due to his academic talent, he passed both 7th and 8th grades in one year to later quickly pass the high school entrance exam at the Bachillerato Incorporado del Instituto de Segunda Enseñanza de Santa Clara.
He passed the entrance exam with an outstanding grade.
During high school years at the Colegio de las Antillas, his teachers considered him to be one of the brightest students at the academy.
Socially he enjoyed his time with his brother, cousins and friends at the Colegio de las Antillas. During his last years of high school he concentrated on science since he had made the decision to study medicine. Given it was not possible for Seventh day Adventists to study in Cuba due to classes and exams taking place on Sabbath, he decides to study medicine at the Medical Adventist University in Montemorelos, Mexico.
After graduating high school and spending the summer with his family, to his dismay, when he arrives to Mexico, he learns that the that medical college course had already begun and that he would have to wait one more year to commence.
In 1957, upon his return to C.A. (Colegio de las Antillas) he enrolls in superior academic courses. During this time professor Vicente Rodriguez asks him to become a high school science teacher. Thus began his professional career as an educator.
Every year at C.A. they would celebrate a day trip for the entire student body to a nearby beach. However, for the 1957-58 school year, the excursion didn’t take place due to the political situation in Cuba. Nonetheless, during that day at C.A., Misael and Daysse Gonzalez spent the day together which sparked a romance that eventually lead to their marriage on July 26, 1959 and 55 years of wedlock.
Three years later their first son, Jorge Luis, was born on February 17, 1962. Both Daysse and Misael were educators at C.A. until 1966.
In 1967, Misael was offered to teach at the Central American Vocational College in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
While in Costa Rica the couple worked tirelessly and were beloved by their students. They always looked fondly of their time in Costa Rica. On October 1, 1970, their second son, Walter Alberto, was born.
Two months thereafter, Misael and his family settled in Maryland. He enrolled at Columbia Union College to finish his BA in the United States and he went on to earn his master’s degree at the University of Maryland. He worked as a professor for 9-1/2 years at Howard University, in Washington DC. He later then taught intensive Spanish courses for the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency from 1985 to September 11, 2001. Misael taught diplomats and even gave private classes to the secretary of the Army. During his career he was recognized for his outstanding contribution and service to the United States by the federal government.
On September 11, 2001 during that catastrophic day, Misael decides to retire and move to Florida, to be closer to his children who lived there. His last three years were spent under the faithful care of his niece Emma, who spoiled him as if he were her father.
He is survived by his children Jorge and Walter, grandchildren Joshua and Elysse, great grand daughter Cataleya, siblings Orlando and Migdalia, his many nieces nephews, and cousins.
Misael was a kind dutiful son, a protective and loving brother, a benevolent, faithful
and patient husband, and a generous, compassionate, and selfless father. Above all, he was an unwavering firm believer in God.