Juan "Juanito" Jose Montes de Oca

Juanito Montes de Oca passed away in his home in Weehawken, NJ surrounded by his loved ones at the age of 98 years old on Tuesday, December 12. 

He is survived by his two daughters, Juana Rama & Maria Elena Montes de Oca, his sons-in-law, Antonio Rama & Lemin Mendoza. Juanito will be forever remembered and cherished by his grandchildren Jenny Romero, Adrian Rivero Jessica Dogali, Leomary Sotomayor & Leo Sotomayor and his great-granddaughters Lucia Milena Romero & Lea Elena Aviles.

Anyone who crossed his path was enamored by his charismatic demeanor and warm smile. A true bodeguero at heart, Juanito and his family left Cuba and arrived in the United States in the 1970s in search of a better life. With the support of his late wife, Elena, and his daughters, he opened the doors of El Unico Restaurant & Cafeteria in 1978. Juanito's hard work and perseverance made El Unico a celebrated restaurant and an icon among the Latin American community. Many knew him to be a savvy businessman and a wise entrepreneur but above all, Juanito was a humble and compassionate human being who generously opened his heart and his restaurant to help countless families in need. Through his family and friends, Juanito's legacy lives on and he will never be forgotten.

Please join us in honoring Juanito and mourning this great loss on Thursday, December 14 at Barquin Funeral Home in Guttenberg, NJ from 3:00-8:00 pm.

Family and friends are invited to join us at St. Joseph's of the Palisades Church in West New York, NJ on Friday, December 15 at 9:30 AM for a mass celebrating his life.

Entombment to follow at Holy Cross Mausoleum, North Arlington.

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