Albor Ruiz, a Journalistic Voice for Latinos, Is Dead at 80

But low circulation and distribution problems caused the paper to shut down after five months.

After it closed, Mr. Ruiz told The New York Times, “We feel — and I’m talking for the editorial staff —- that we did our job, and I think in that sense we have no regrets.”

Over his time at The Daily News, Mr. Ruiz developed a reputation as a newsroom mentor.

“Albor was always there believing in me, telling me I was a great reporter, often when I needed to hear it most,” Ralph Ortega, a former Daily News reporter, said by phone.

Mr. Ruiz remained on The News’s staff until 2013, when he was laid off, but continued as a freelance columnist until 2016, when he was let go. He then began writing columns for Al Dia News, a weekly magazine, and continued until November.

He was inducted into the National Association of Hispanic Journalists Hall of Fame in 2003.

In addition to his sister Enid, Mr. Ruiz is survived by another sister, Lidice Lima, and his brothers, Ricardo and Elián.

Mr. Ruiz was also a poet. His first collection, “Por Si Muero Mañana” (“In Case I Die Tomorrow”), was published in 2019. In the title poem, he reflected on his love for Cuba — where his ashes will be scattered — and concluded:

Volver al suelo, tierra cubana
Extranjero soy y ella me llama
Sepan todos que Cuba me reclama
Por si muero mañana

As translated, it reads:

Back to the soil, Cuban land
I am a foreigner and she calls me.
Everyone knows that Cuba claims me.
In case I die tomorrow.

Article source: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/14/business/media/albor-ruiz-dead.html