Ismael Aponte
Ismael Aponte, 80, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, November 1, 2026. Ismael was born on March 29, 1946, in Ponce, Puerto Rico, to Gloria and Domingo Aponte. He was a hardworking man who loved his family and dominoes dearly. He is survived by his two children, Iris V. Aponte-Taiwo and Ismael Aponte, Jr.; his grandchildren, Ismael Johnathan Aponte, Sade Kemi Taiwo, Alexis Juliana Aponte; and his great-grandchildren, Ismael Johnathan Aponte, Jr., Isaiah Aponte and Selena Aponte. He is also survived by his siblings, Osvaldo Aponte (deceased), Neida Aponte, Hector Aponte, Elmer Aponte (deceased), Domingo Aponte Jr., Lillian Aponte, Luis Aponte, Wilberto Aponte, and Inaida Aponte.
Ismael built fruitful careers in the many communities he lived in, from working in welding in the early 1970’s to his work in the sanitation department for the City of Philadelphia before moving to Columbus, Ohio, where he lived for approximately 30 years before returning to Philadelphia.
Throughout it all, he never failed to show his love for his home, Puerto Rico. His love for the island and his hardworking spirit lives on in the family that succeeds him. He will be deeply missed by all those who knew and loved him.
Ismael will be honored with a service in his childhood hometown of Peñuelas, Puerto Rico, on Saturday, February 6, 2027. All those who knew and loved him are welcome to join us as we celebrate his life.
