“Big René” • “The Salsa King”

Sunrise: February 12, 1961

Sunset: October 2, 2025

Our beloved René Cruz Caraballo, affectionately known as Big René and The Salsa King, fought a courageous five-year battle with cancer. Many of you witnessed his strength, humor, and unwavering love for his family and community. Though he fought with all his heart, René ultimately finished his earthly race and went home to be with the Lord after battling leukemia.

During his final season, René made the most important decision of his life — he accepted our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and opened his heart to full forgiveness and peace through Him. As 1 John 1:9 reminds us, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” In that moment, René found the freedom and grace that only Jesus can give. We hold on to the promise of 2 Timothy 4:7 — “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Before his passing, Big René dreamed of spending his final days in Puerto Rico, his beloved homeland. Although he didn’t make it there physically, his spirit will always belong to La Isla del Encanto, and we are determined to fulfill his final wish by taking his ashes home to rest.

To honor René’s life, we will hold an epic homegoing celebration at Club Puertoriqueño a Puerto Rican Social Hall — filled with joy, music, stories, and love, just the way he lived. René proudly served as President of the Puerto Rican Club in San Francisco for four years, where he uplifted his community through laughter, generosity, and, of course, salsa dancing. It’s only fitting that his celebration of life takes place in the very hall where he created so many unforgettable memories and friendships.

But this celebration won’t be complete until his ashes reach his island. Our goal is to celebrate his life from the Bay to Puerto Rico, so that family and friends on both shores can come together to honor his legacy one last time.

The funds raised will go toward:

Homegoing celebrations in San Francisco and Puerto Rico

✈️ Travel expenses to bring his ashes home to the island

A final celebration of life with music, food, and dancing — just as The Salsa King would have wanted.

Big René’s final wish was to go to Puerto Rico with his sons — Giovani, Karim, Christopher, and René Jr. Any donation, no matter how small, will help make this dream a reality and give his family the chance to say goodbye in the most meaningful way possible.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, prayers, and support.

Big René is deeply missed, but his spirit and legacy will live on forever in the hearts of everyone he touched.

Con mucho amor,

The Caraballo Family