Roberto Lee Atencio

Roberto Lee Atencio passed away peacefully at Trellis Hospice July 16 after a hard fought battle with melanoma. Roberto was born in Gainesville Florida to Roberto and Dorothy Atencio January 24, 1953. He was raised in Maracaibo Venezuela and later moved to France, then the United States to be near family.

Roberto was preceded in death by his father, Roberto Atencio, and his brother David. He is survived by his son Daniel Zando, of London, his wife Indy Suarez and stepsons Jan and Jules of Winston-Salem, his mother Dorothy Atencio and sisters Susana Serrano and Patricia Jones of Winston-Salem, sister Mariela Belkhiter (Bruno) of Lewisville, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Roberto was a true renaissance man earning a degree in nuclear physics in Paris, a philosophy degree in Venezuela and then pursuing a career in the arts, running a combination books, music and art store in Venezuela. When he moved back to the United States he began a career in nursing, working at Baptist Hospital. His love of learning remained his passion until the end of his life.

A private family celebration of life will be held at a later date.