Juan Bladimir Taco Mejia

Watertown – Mr. Juan Bladimir Taco Mejia, of Watertown, died on Wednesday January 16th at the Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge. He was 51 years old.

Juan was born in Quito, Ecuador on January 11, 1962, son of the late Jorge Arturo Taco and Dolores Mejia. In 1990 he immigrated to the United States and over the next two decades built a life for himself and his family in Massachusetts. He became a general contractor and the owner of JAT Construction, Inc., in Watertown where his wife Amelia and son-in-law Raul worked with him. Juan's passions, however, extended far beyond his work. He loved to travel and to explore, and more than anything to be with his family. Family vacations inevitably involved long car rides with Juan behind the wheel, firmly believing that the adventure is in the journey, not the destination.

An intellectual, philanthropist, and leader in his community, Juan never missed an opportunity for a kind word or deed. His kindness, generosity of spirit and integrity carried him and his family through difficult times, and earned him the respect and admiration of all who knew him.

He was the beloved husband of Amelia Montenegro Taco of Watertown; father of Karla E. Taco-Moreno and her husband, Raul Moreno, of Belmont, Alejandra M. Taco of Watertown and Andrea J. Taco of Somerville; brother of Fabian, Boanerges Fernando, Federico Napoleon, Manuel, Evelina, Celia Maria, Lolita, Nieves Loreto, Brigida Monserrath, Katy and the late Jorge Arturo, Alex Vladimir and Carmen; and brother and sisters in law Carlos, Tanya, Vicente, Gladys Irene, Miriam, Mario, Maxima, Ivan, and Gladys; beloved cousin of Jose Stalin Salazar, and cousin Salazar Mejia, Mejia Alcoser, Ayala Mejia, Mejia Cobo, Mejia Neacato, Montufar Taco, Velasco Taco, Zalbumbide Taco, Perez Taco, Paez Taco, Romero Taco and Raul Taco and is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

Family and friends will honor and remember Juan's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Saturday, January 19th, from 2 to 5 p.m. and again on Sunday from 1 until 4 p.m. at which time his funeral service will be held.

Memorial donations in Juan's name may be made to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, please note in memo "Universal Access Program", c/o Sharon Hoey, DCR, 251 Causeway St., Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Universal Access Program is dedicated to providing outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts State Parks for visitors of all abilities and was a program very important to Juan and his family.