José Fernández de Villalta y Alvarez de Sotomayor was born in Spain. He participated in the War of Independence of Cuba on the Spanish side as an engineer. Villalta served with General Arola during "la trocha" from Júcaro to Moron, where Villalta demonstrated his talents as a military engineer. Upon returning to Spain, he was accepted to the Instituto Geográfico y Estadístico and continued his service until retirement from the Spanish army.
Villalta later emigrated to Cuba, where he became a renown Spanish engineer in charge of one of the largest house constructions. He died in Cuba in 1918.
Conchita la Villa was a Cuban-born schoolteacher and religious leader who was active in many church groups in Miami. She participated in civic and religious volunteer programs geared toward the Cuban community in particular. She was active with the Fundación Sagrado Corazón de Jesús.
Alvaro de Villa was a Cuban writer and journalist most notable for his work with the American sitcom ¿Qué pasa, U.S.A.? Before moving to Miami, he wrote for Cuban radio and television. He also wrote several novels, short stories, screenplays, nonfiction works, and radio scripts.
