In Memory of Mariano R. Barahona

Mariano Rufino Barahona Miranda departed the afternoon of April 20, 2022 surrounded by family members who loved, admired and will miss him. He was born in Distrito de Omas, Yauyos - Lima, Peru on August 19, 1948 . His parents were Asela Miranda Rodriguez and Agustin Barahona Mendoza, who were Peruvian natives. He applied to a local academy and enlisted for service when he wasn’t accepted. He became driven however and worked for the newspaper Diario Correo de Huancayo, El Diario Correo de Lima y El Diario Ojo where he apprenticed as a journalist. His love for journalism ignited to later be the foundation to his self-made newspaper “El Amauta”. Mariano married the love of his life, Maria Meza and together had six daughters. He immigrated to the United States in 1982 to seek the American dream for his daughters and his family. He seeked job opportunities in Spanish speaking newspapers and was rejected due to not having dominated the English language. To support and provide for his family he worked as a welder for over a decade in Elizabeth NJ and later at American Steel Strip Inc. in Harrison. He exchanged steel labor for the need to fulfill his passion and from that the birth of his most beloved newspaper, El Amauta was born 1993.

El Amauta was first created on hojas blancas as his canvas to begin capturing his dream of becoming a journalist. Throughout this new stage he became well known in the Peruvian, Hispanic local and international communities. He was honored and received many awards for his talent, tenacity and overall journalistic brilliance.

Mariano also shared a love for futbol. During his adolescence, he was part of a league and continued to play for leisure in the states. He shared in conferences and sports affiliations here and from Peru where he participated as a recurring guest for a Peruvian radio station. He also loved salsa, su cerveza, peruvian cuisine, su huayno, y mas.

He leaves behind his daughters who will miss him endlessly, Fiorella C. Vazquez (Mi Directora), Magaly Barahona (Chilo), Acela Barahona (Mostra), Veronica Barahona (Socia), Rosario Barahona (Charito), Liz Barahona(Mi bebita) . Along with his eight grandchildren who will remember their grandfather as he was - grandpa.

He also leaves behind his sisters in both Peru and the USA, Dionicia Barahona Diaz, Marcela Barahona Diaz, Gladys Barahona Miranda, Angelica Barahona Miranda, Victoria Barahona Miranda, Herminia Barahona Miranda. Each sibling along with their respective families, upheld family traditions and will miss him tremendously.

At this time we thank the Peruvian and Latin American community both here in the United States and Lima-Peru for their condolences to our family. We love you dearly for being a part of our father's legacy. On behalf of our father, the Barahona-Meza daughters and family thank his colleagues, business associates, soccer alliances, members of associations, friends and family for their heart felt condolences in memory of Mr. Mariano Barahona, Director, Editor of El Amauta newspaper.