Rene Medina, Esq., died on Ash Wednesday, March 1, 2017. He died of complications due to lung cancer. He fought a short but valiant battle. He was born on October 27, 1955 at Babies Hospital in NYC. He was the son of Francisco Medina and Candida Benitez-Medina. Rene graduated from Xavier High School, NYC in 1973. He obtained his BA degree from SUNY -Buffalo, a master’s degree in Criminal Justice from SUNY-Albany and a Juris Doctorate from Boston College. He began his legal career as an assistant district attorney in Bronx County. Later, he started a private practice as a criminal defense attorney. Professionally, he dedicated himself to the relentless defense of those he considered less fortunate. Rene is survived by his wife Lillian, their sixteen -year old son, Marco, his brother Alan Medina, MD and wife Ileana Ruiz, aunts: Milagros Asuncion and Laura Benitez, nieces: Monica and Eugenia, nephews: Armando and Ted, and grand-nephew Hendrix, cousins: Yolanda, Roberto, Carlos, Laura, Lisa, Arturo and Aracelis. To all of his treasured close friends and acquaintances, far too many to mention individually, Rene would want to send you his love, best wishes and to join us in celebrating his life.

The viewing will be held at the Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home on Wednesday, March 8th from 5 until 9 PM. The funeral Mass will be held at the St. Francis Xavier Church, NYC on Thursday, March 9th at 10AM. A reception will follow at The Gander, 15 West 18thSt. His ashes will be buried with his parents at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Yonkers and in Cuba and Puerto Rico. In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated for the Marco Medina College Trust Fund. Checks may be made payable to College America and forwarded to The Medina Family at 5900 Arlington Ave Apt 17T, Riverdale, NY10471.