Very sad news

[ismaelg]

Hello,

     It is with a very heavy heart I have to report the passing of our friend Miguel Barbosa.  He was instrumental to the hobby in Puerto Rico and abroad, creating and running the Caribbean Scale Auto Expo for the past 15 years or so.  He was also bringing to Puerto Rico the very first Hot Wheels convention next April.
An accomplished modeler who will be sorely missed!
A true believer in dreams.

Rest in peace my friend!

Thanks,

[Miatatom]

I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend. Sounded like he was an important part of the hobby in Puerto Rico.

[afx]

My condolences Ismael.

[espo]

Sad to hear of any ones passing, especially someone who played such a great part in our community. Condolences to all of his family and friends.  

[Danno]

Very sorry to hear of Miguel's passing.  Met him a couple of times; he was a talented modeler with a big smile, huge heart, and great personality.  He made himself your friend at first encounter.

He'll be missed.  RIP, my friend. 

[1930fordpickup]

Sorry for your loss. 

[disabled modeler]

Sorry for your loss...very sad news.

[Luis Ayala]

I met Miguel in 2004, I was new to the hobby and it was the first time I was going to participate on a scale model contest. It was his "Mc Tonight Model Contest" which was more than just a contest, it was a gathering of family and friends. When I got in, he welcomed me and my family with a big smile and a strong hand shake. He worked really hard to promote the hobby here in Puerto Rico as well as outside of the Island and always encouraging others.

His main event the "Caribbean Scale Auto Expo" (CSAE) is the biggest event we have had in a straight line here in Puerto Rico for more than ten years, as well as dozens of exhibitions and other small NNL Top20 events he organized. His footprint in our hobby here in PR has been a key instrument in promoting the work of his fellow modelers.

He was a true fighter, with a steel strong will even in the most difficult situations. He inspired me to move forward in life not only in the hobby, but in my personnel and professional life. For me Miguel is and always will be family...

I deeply feel his loss and my prayers are with his wife and sons.

Rest in God,s hands brother...You will be missed, but never forgotten...

[crazyjim]

Sorry for your loss.

[Daddyfink]

Condolences to his family, friends and the modeling community

Vaya con Dios

[10thumbs]

Indeed sad news.

We have Puerto Rico modelers here that just build excellent models and it's especially sad when a friend passes.  Respect.

[MrObsessive]

Wow, it's enough that I had a rough day at work today, and now I see this.

I met MIguel around 2005 or so, and he had invited me to PR to judge the model contest there, back around this time of year in '06. I had a GREAT time and sure hated to come back here to cold Central PA after being spoiled by the weather there.

I'll echo what Luis said in that Miguel was always very enthusiastic about the hobby, and was a great builder himself, especially of dioramas.

Here are a couple pics of Miguel, Marcos Cruz, and I when we were in PR back in '06....................

Miguel in the green shirt, with Cruz on his left. That's a MUCH bigger me back then!

Luis on Miguel's right......

Us at a local pavilion talking models. The fellow next to Miguel is Rogelio (can't remember his last name), and he was saying something that eventually had us all laughing! The other fellow in front of me is Carlos DeJesus (I think that's his last name), one of PR's BEST builders! Believe me!!

Rest in peace brother Miguel............you will be missed!

[PARTSMARTY]

Sorry for your loss-it really hurts to lose a modeler with such great passion and kindness.

[Tom Geiger]

I am sorry to hear of Miguel's passing!    I met him on his trips to NNL East and GSL. A very nice guy and great friend to the hobby

[D. Battista]

My condolences to Miguel's family and friends !