Juan F. Ramos Jr.

Juan F. Ramos, Jr., a former City Councilman and trailblazing Puerto Rican activist, passed away at his home on Saturday, July 22, 2023 from Alzheimer’s Disease. He was 71.

Juan Ramos served on Philadelphia City Council as an At Large Member from 2004 to 2008. A true servant-leader, Juan was one of Philadelphia’s earliest “home-grown” Puerto Rican activists and leaders and a founder of institutions that proved timely and critical to the Latino community history in Philadelphia, including the Philadelphia Chapter of the Young Lords, the Puerto Rican Alliance, and Centro Pedro Claver.

Juan was an ordained Catholic Deacon, a member of Laborers’ Local 332, a reliable ally, a generous neighbor, and had unwavering faith in the potential of Philadelphia, its people, its athletes and even its professional sports teams.  He is survived by his wife, Ana Sostre-Ramos, daughters Alicia Ruiz and Anita Ramos, son Andres Ramos-Cuadrado, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and four siblings (Elsa Ramos, Gladys Ramos-Colon, Jose Ramos, and Pedro Ramos).

We’re pleased to share this Inquirer Obituary about Juan, which was published online on July 24, 2023. 'Vanguard of civil rights for Latinos': Juan Ramos, former Philly city councilmember, dies at 71 (inquirer.com)