Juan M. Soto, 85, Retired in 1977 from Ford Motor Company

He was born in San Sebastian, Puerto Rico on November 11, 1921 and moved to Lorain in 1948.

Mr. Soto was initially employed at U.S. Steel and then Ford Motor Company, Brook Park Engine Plant. He retired in 1977 from Ford Motor. He was a member of Bethel Temple, East 31 Street, Lorain, where he had been an active member of the Sociedad de Caballeros. Mr. Soto also served as a deacon and Sunday school teacher and was active in many church committees.

Mr. Soto was an avid reader of the Bible and enjoyed praying and ministering to the needy and ill. He also enjoyed studying history, geography, and current events. His hobbies were gardening, arts and crafts, and traveling. He traveled domestically and abroad. In March of 2005, he traveled on his first mission trip to the Caribbean nation of Haiti where he was involved in several projects at the Hope for Haiti Orphanage in Quanaminthe, Haiti.

Survivors include daughters Margie Mattei, Julie Sanchez (Charles), Nancy Soto of Lorain; Puri Purta (Joseph) of Grafton; and Brunie Surget (Philippe) of New York City, New York; son Ed Soto (Marie) of Tampa, Florida; six grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years in January 2005, Carmen (nee Lopez-Alberty); parents Nazario and Maria Soto (nee Santiago); brothers Amado, Guadalupe, Alejandro, and Francisco Soto; sisters Carmen Negron, Maria Tirado, and Felicita Rios.

Friends may call on Thursday from 10:00 a.m. until time of service at 11:30 a.m. at Church on the North Coast, 4125 Leavitt Road (Route 58), Lorain. The Reverend Louis F. Kayatin, Pastor of Church on the North Coast, will officiate. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Lorain. Funeral arrangements handled by the Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain.