Raul Tabora

Raul Angel Tabora Sr., El Gaucho, passed away Friday, August 4th, 2023. He was born on November 15, 1931, to Enrique Francisco and Maria Vicenta Tabora in Carcaraña, Argentina.

Raul grew up in Argentina learning how to test the limits of his teachers, how to liberate fruit from the neighbor's orchard, and the how to build the perfect horno de ladrillos in his brick making days. He also coached futbol (soccer) and remained a devoted fan of the game throughout his life. During his military service he served as a palace guard in the early 1950's, personally bringing horses to the Peron's to ride, escorted the Peron's on state visits, and stood guard outside the Buenos Aires ministry where Evita Peron lay in state.

He immigrated to the United States in 1965, bringing his wife and his son to join him a few years later. He quickly found work as a mason and bricklayer. Raul's skill can be seen in the Empire State Plaza, the Egg, UAlbany, and Crossgates Mall. He laid the sidewalks downtown and around the Governor's Mansion during which he had a brief encounter with then Governor Mario Cuomo, a tale he told with relish and approximately 25% facts. If he were to see his sidewalks being torn up and replaced today, he would be happy that the Brick Layer and Trowel workers of Albany are being kept busy. Raul made repairs to the clock tower at City Hall, ensuring a part of him would be ever present in the city he called home.

A hardworking man with tough exterior protecting a heart of gold, Raul lived his life in service to his family and his community. He was fiercely protective of his loved ones and committed to helping whenever called; the type of man that would pick you up from the bar at any time, drop everything to come and kill the single, solitary bee that took up residence in your house, sit with you at the hospital to provide support or fix whatever it was that broke, even if it was on a "por ahora" fix – for now.

Raul taught us the proper mixing and pouring of cement and (not at the same time) how to make wine from the wild grapes that grew in the fields behind our house. He built a custom kitchen for his tiny wife and assisted her in the making of empanadas, canning tomatoes from the abundance in the garden, batches of chimichurri and cooking up the best chili you would ever taste.

He was a futurist in the realm of organic gardening and farm-to-table. He introduced the entire neighborhood to the trick for a plentiful harvest when he would have truckloads of composted manure delivered to the house. Thankfully, his generous smile and love of storytelling endeared him to his neighbors, so he was quickly forgiven …it also helped that the smell dissipated quickly once incorporated into the soil.

An avid fan of history and on occasion, historical fiction, his sharp mind would weave the history of Argentina and the US into every conversation making time spent with Raul educational, entertaining and an exercise in fact checking. Raul was known to be a direct and honest man, his sarcastic wit and hearty laugh drew others to him at any event. Everyone always knew where they stood with him. Raul was happiest when he spent time at his camp in Queensbury, taking guests out on the boat to enjoy the Hudson and enjoying the wildlife that followed him around.

Raul fiercely loved the United States and was grateful for the opportunities he gained here; as a result, he lived a life of service and volunteerism. His work included the Schenectady Rotary, Gift of Life, Ronald McDonald House, the South American Spanish Association to name a few.

Raul Tabora is dearly missed by his wife Maria Rosita Tabora, his daughter Kathy Tabora, and his granddaughter Nesrin Tabora. He is also survived by his beloved son Raul (Ada) Tabora Jr. and grandchildren Jessica Tabora and Alessandro Tabora.

At Raul's request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. Instead, he asked that friends and loved ones donate to their favorite not-for-profit in his name or preferably, carry on his legacy by volunteering their time in his honor.