In loving memory of

Romulo F. Bustamante
August 15, 1928 - November 19, 2021

Romulo Fabio "Nono" Bustamante Zuleta, 93, of Kingston, NY, passed away on Friday, November 19th in Poughkeepsie, NY.

A memorial gathering for friends and family will be held at 142 Clinton Avenue on December 3rd, starting at 5 pm with ceremony by Rev. Puja A.J. Thomson thereabouts at 6:30 pm. The event is COVID considerate and ends at 8pm.

Romulo was born in Santiago, Chile to Margarita Zuleta and Romulo Bustamante Contreras on August 15, 1928. He went to high school at Valentin Leterier de Recoleta and Liceo Manuel Barros Borgoño. He studied Accounting at an ancillary technical arm of the Universidad Catolica, while he worked for the postal service. Once in the US, he did various jobs before settling in to speciality electronic sales for a Manhattan company that catered to airline employees. As a senior citizen he worked part time for for the Urban League and Catholic Charities in New Jersey.

Romulo emigrated from Chile to Jersey City, New Jersey. He and his wife Gladys, came to the US for a better life. He and went back and forth for years until he could move his family here permanently. He loved soccer, tennis and boxing. And during soccer matches spent a good amount of time doing air-kicks at the time of goals. Crossing in front of the TV was perilous. He had the sharpest wit and the most astute sense of humor. He was famous for stinging life-sentence one-liners. A beagle was once permanently branded, small cow with dog face. If you didn't know how to tuck your dress shirt into your pants, you were called a poorly made package. He had the most beautiful handwriting and only signed his first name in his signature, like he was famous. Romulo never met a cat that he didnt like and spent a good amount of time petting them joking that he pet them so much that their color would fade. He had a profound love of chocolate and sweets and lentils. He said he loved his late wife Gladys forever and never took his wedding ring off after her death. All of his grandchildren carry some resemblance of him.

Romulo is survived by his daughter, Ljubitça (Julee) Evelyn (Bustamante) Molina, Kingston, New York. Alexis R. Bustamante, and his partner Lillian Duque Becerra, Santiago, Chile, Rodrigo C. Bustamante and his wife Carolyn Baris of Colonia, New Jersey, His siblings, Silvestre Bustamante and Ada Bustamante, Santiago, Chile. His Grandchildren: Christian Bustamante and Nicholas Bustamante, Santiago, Chile. Jackson Bustamante, Josephine Bustamante, and Grayson Bustamante, Colonia, New Jersey. He leaves many fur grandchildren behind but his heart belonged to the Kitty Coté, Kingston, New York. He is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys Dora Bustamante Molina Acevedo, mother, Margarita Zuleta, father Romulo Bustamante Contreras, Sisters, Anita Bustamante, Ethel Bustamante, and Ruby Bustamante.

Memorial donations may be made to SPCA of Ulster County. Romulo wanted to make sure that no cat ever starve. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to Keyser Funeral Home, Daniel Kanter for the use of his home and to those who helped his daughter take care of him in his final days.

Tributes

Christian Bustamante wrote on Nov 27, 2021:

"My Grandfather was a kind and welcoming man. He was never the kind of person to become overwhelmed with difficulty as life went on. Instead he always sought to make sure that everybody else was content with theirs. Always asking about others. I will miss him dearly and cherish the best moments we had as gifts. On behalf of myself Christian Bustamante and my brother Nicholas Bustamante, we love you Tata Nono and we will miss you."

Mariana Sanchez wrote on Nov 24, 2021:

"Romulo, cuánto te voy a extrañar? No fuiste mi abuelo pero te convertiste como en uno para mi. Gracias por tu cariño por tu generosidad, por ser un ser genial y extraordinario. Te recordaré por siempre con inmenso amor y agradecimiento, te ganaste todo mi corazón. Romu, te quiero por siempre. Se que estás un lugar maravilloso al lado de tu adorada esposa. Descansa en Paz mi Romu? We love you so much. Att: Tu familia Colombiana. Ahora eres un ángel libre y feliz. GRACIAS por dejarme recuerdos hermosos y felices ?? Te extrañare mucho. Mariana "

Neyda Perez wrote on Nov 24, 2021:

"Rómulo ....Un ser extraordinario. Nos dejó su presencia en nuestros corazones. Un ejemplo de vida... Gracias por su grato compartir... su bondad... y todas sus virtudes. Nuestra familia lo recordará por siempre. DESCANSE EN PAZ...Neyda.Leo.Lorena.Hugo.Juan.Mariana.... Tu alma voló libre y con el gozo de las almas nobles. "

Paul Gmitter wrote on Nov 22, 2021:

"Sending My Sincerest Condolences to Rodie, Caroline, Jackson, Josephine and Grayson...Love Paul Gmitter"