# Farewell to Alejandro Ferrás Pellice, assailant of the Moncada, at the Pantheon of Veterans of the Necropolis of Colón.

**Date:** 10/29/2021

The revolutionary combatant Alejandro Ferrás Pellicer died on the night of October 22, 2021 in La Habana, at the age of 99, due to multiple organ failure.

He was born on December 12, 1921 in Gibara, current province of Holguín. His parents worked on a small farm to support the family, which consisted of 17 members. Alejandro, the eldest of the children, began working the land with his father at the age of 10, limiting his schooling.

From a young age he understood the need to fight against the misery and exploitation to which they were subjected and began to associate with members of La Joven Cuba in the town of Gibara. At only 14 years old and in the presence of Antonio Guiteras, he was made a member of that organization.

In 1942 he moved to La Habana in search of work, performing different jobs. After Batista's coup d'état, he joined Fidel. Under his direction, he participated in the Marcha de las Antorchas, then, together with his brothers Armelio and Antonio, he fought in the assault on the Cuartel Moncada, managing to survive this military action.

Following these events, he continued the clandestine struggle in La Habana, receiving instructions through Marcelo Salado. He was the leader of a large group of underground fighters who participated in various actions.

On October 2, 1957 he was forced to go into exile in the United States due to the fierce persecution to which he was subjected. From abroad he continued his revolutionary activities, becoming president of the Club Patriótico 26 de Julio in Newark, Nueva York.

With the triumph of the Revolution he returned to his homeland. He held various responsibilities. He worked at the "Alberto Álvarez" Fertilizer Factory in Regla, at the Plastics Company and from 1972 at the Academy of Sciences as Head of Supply, a position he maintained until his retirement.

He was a founder of the Milicias Nacionales Revolucionarias, the Comités de Defensa de la Revolución and the Asociación de Combatientes de la Revolución Cubana. He served as Vice President of his CDR and later as Zone Coordinator. He was elected delegate of the Poder Popular of his constituency, an activity which he carried out with rigor and dedication.

On his own initiative and personal efforts, he built a replica of the Cuartel Moncada in a vacant lot in Centro Habana, which he converted into a historic site where he paid honors to fallen comrades.

In recognition of the services rendered, he received important honors and decorations, among which stand out the medals 20 Aniversario del Moncada, de la Clandestinidad, 28 de Septiembre, Aniversario 50 de la Seguridad del Estado, and for the 20th, 30th, 40th, 50th and 60th Anniversaries of the FAR.

By decision of his family, his body was cremated. The ashes were displayed last Wednesday, October 27, between 09:00 and 11:00 hours at the Panteón de los Veteranos of the Necrópolis de Colón.