It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our homegrown family and Conch treasure, Ignacio J. Cobo. "Iggy" was grunts, key lime pie, flan, rum, and cigars all rolled into one. He was born at Monroe County General Hospital. He was baptized and received all of his sacraments at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church. He was a proud Conch graduate from Key West High School, class of 1974. He and his wife, Karen, moved to Tampa in 1981 and began their family raising two beautiful and loving children, Rachel and Luis. Ignacio passed January 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family which were always his greatest treasure in life. He was born September 6, 1956, to parents Lionel M. and Nelida Cobo. He was the namesake of his grandfather Ygnacio Joseph Cobo, who migrated from Cuba to Key West in about 1887 to eventually establish a cigar factory known as the I. Cobo Cigar Factory located in the rear of the then Cobo family house at 1107 Duval St. where he and wife, Amparo, would raise a family of 10 siblings, the youngest of which was his father, Lionel. Ygnacio Sr. would produce cigars from tobacco leaves shipped from Cuba by his half-brother, Arturo Cobo. A wood carved intaglio created by close family friend, Mario Sanchez, captures this historic setting of the Cobo house and adjacent cigar factory, both of which stand today. Iggy's grandparents were the beginning of the Cobo family and legacy first established in Key West then and whose presence still exists and thrives in Key West.

Ignacio always provided a smile or a joke in any situation and always would light up any conversation or room he entered. All who had the pleasure to experience a friendship or relationship with him, regardless of how big or small, could only express how much he was loved and enjoyed. His smile, whether enjoying a nice cigar or not, was infectious. His affection was a personal experience to all who knew him.

His first working experience was working as a child at his father's pharmacy, Cobo Pharmacy, where he worked the soda fountain, delivered medications, or helped manage the floor and served its customers at the cash register, always offering a smile and a joke.

Ignacio is predeceased by his cherished parents, Lionel M. and Nelda Cobo, brother, Lionel Michael Cobo (Virginia), paternal grandparents Ignacio J. and Amparo Cobo, maternal grandparents Luis E. and Nelida Quiros, father-in-law, John W. Golden, grandparents-in-law, Alfred and Hilda Schroeder (affectionately known as Opa and Omi), aunts and uncles Ygnacio

J. Cobo Jr., Dr. Armando Cobo (Ellie), Ysolina Cobo Borges (Juan), John Cobo (Leonor), Concha Cobo Martinez (Eugene), Dr. Delio Cobo (Ann), Rosa Cobo Henriquez (Gerald), Solita Cobo McCarthy (Douglas), and his beloved canine companion and friend for 16 years, Enzo.

Ignacio is survived by his wife of 40 years, the love of his life, soulmate, and dearest friend, Karen S. (Golden) Cobo, daughter, Rachel Rebecca Cobo (Eric) and their daughter Emma Marie Rodriguez, son, Luis Ignacio Cobo, brother, Luis E. Cobo (Ana), sister, Mary Cobo Bentley (Zachary), sister-in-law, Sandra D. Golden, brother-in-law, Michael J. Golden, nieces and nephews, Michael James Cobo, Nora Cobo Kirby (Nigel), Zachary Taylor Bentley Ill, (Yamisel), Nicholas Lionel Bentley (Sarah), Jessica Cobo Barroso (Jason), Lisette Marie Cobo, and Rebecca Alyse Cobo, and the vast multitude of family past and present spanning generations and branched throughout the United States but whose roots will always be in Key West.

May God welcome and embrace Ignacio in Heaven and share an occasional laugh. We will miss your presence in our lives and always enjoy the smile you have left in our hearts. Always know you were loved by all who knew you.

Funeral services at The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea and officiated by Fr. Christopher Marino will be on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 1PM followed by graveside internment at the Cobo Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery of the Key West Cemetery. Key West Mortuary will handle funeral arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to The Basilica Schools of St. Mary Star of the Sea. Welcome home our beloved Ignacio.