ILDEFONSO REIMUNDO RAMIREZ

Mr. Ildefonso Ramirez 100, of Vestavia Hills Al, passed away January 17, 2024. He was born in Matanzas, Cuba. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry from University of Havana and then began to study Medicine at the same University. After completing his third year he was forced to leave his studies when his father fell ill and needed care. He came home to Matanzas and took care of his father until he passed away.

In 1946 Mr. Ramirez began to work for a Rayon manufacturing company in Matanzas Cuba, as a quality Control coordinator. In 1953 he married his sweetheart Lucia Ortube of Matanzas, Cuba and began to Plan for the future.

In 1959 the new Communist Regime in Cuba forced him to change his plans and begin to seek a way to leave Cuba and come to the United States. Finally in 1970 he was able to leave Cuba with his Wife Lucia and his son Guillermo. They fled to Spain, and two years later the arrived in the US, where he settled in Miami FL.

After a series of jobs in Miami Florida, Mr. Ramirez came to Atlanta in 1976 and started working for a chain of grocery stores. There, he perfected his recipe for his Cuban Sandwich. In 1985 he purchased a small business called Kool Korner Grocery and turned it into a sandwich shop near the GA Institute of Technology in Midtown Atlanta. Mr. Ramirez’s Sandwiches quickly became famous in Atlanta wining Atlanta Magazine’s BEST OF ATLANTA several years. He was also featured in an article by John T Edge, food historian, called 100 Southern Foods You Absolutely Must try Before You Die” for Garden and Gun Magazine.

At the age of 86, he opened Kool Korner Sandwiches in Vestavia Hills in 2009 and continued to work until he was 97 years old. He quickly started to serve his new customers as well as some of his old ones that would make the trip down to Birmingham to taste his sandwiches once again.

He is preceded in death by his father Guillermo Ramirez, and his Mother Maria Quintana, his brothers Esteban, Alberto and Pablo and his sister Julia Ramirez Hernandez. He is also preceded by his wife of 50 years Lucia.

He is survived by his son Guillermo Ramirez, his grandson William Ramirez, and Granddaughter Stephanie Ramirez Herren, and his great granddaughter Seraphina Lucia Herren.