Public funeral Mass for Rafael Ithier to be held Monday at San Juan Cathedral

Monday’s funeral Mass for Rafael Ithier Natal, founder of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, will be open to the public, while the salsa icon’s burial will be a private ceremony reserved for the family. (Wikipedia)

By THE STAR STAFF

The family of Rafael Ithier Natal and the El Gran Combo organization announced on Wednesday that the public funeral service in honor of the group’s founder will be held next Monday, Dec. 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the San Juan Bautista Minor Basilica Cathedral in Old San Juan.

According to the information provided, the ceremony will be open to the public, in accordance with the musician’s last wishes, and will be the only public event. The burial will be a private ceremony reserved for the family.

Regarding subsequent arrangements, it was indicated that the location where the El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico founder’s remains will rest will be announced at a later date. The family and El Gran Combo expressed their gratitude for the expressions of solidarity received in Puerto Rico and abroad.

Ithier Natal, who founded the famed orchestra in 1962 and is recognized as a central driving force in salsa music, passed away at the age of 99 at his residence, surrounded by his relatives, according to reports.