Obituary for Mariano Rey
Mariano Jose Rey, a man born into a revolution who went on to become a steadfast
advocate for the underserved, a widely respected cardiologist and medical educator, and a
beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease on
February 19, 2022. He was 72 years old.
Dr. Rey’s dedication to the care and education of others began through his own, at times
tumultuous, early life. Born on the eve of the Cuban Revolution on July 22, 1949, in Havana,
Cuba, to his father, Mariano, and mother, Elvira, Dr. Rey grew up surrounded by his very close
extended family – exploring the countryside with his cousins, playing pranks on his uncles, and
sometimes facing “punishment” from his loving and much loved grandmother. With the onset
of the revolution, in what would become known as the “Pedro Pan” exodus, he was sent by his
family to find safety in the United States.
At age 12, he arrived in New York City to live with his Uncle Rafael and Aunt Margarita; his
parents and then two-year-old brother, Roberto, stayed behind. Despite arriving knowing little
English, Mariano adapted and quickly distinguished himself as a leader and scholar. For his
immediate family, especially his brother, Rob, who arrived four years later, he became another
father figure, teaching them what he had already learned of life in the United States. At school,
the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on East 34th St. and 2nd Ave. in New York, he ultimately
distinguished himself as the Valedictorian of the class of 1968.
Mariano then made his way across the city and enrolled at Columbia University, where, in
yet another turbulent environment, he honed his commitment to others. In addition to
excelling academically, Mariano was a leader in the student-community partnerships working
for the rights of the people of Harlem and Morningside Heights. Among other activities, he
became the head of the student-run Community Service Council, working closely with local
residents on tenant and squatter rights protests. It was there that he met Margaret Mary
(Mona) Hennessy, a Block Association organizer, the love of his life and future wife.
After his graduation from Columbia, Mariano attended New York University School of
Medicine, where he spent all of his training and professional life. He chose to pursue Cardiology
at NYU-Bellevue because of the exceptional care provided to all patients, regardless of race or
nationality, whether rich or poor. Dr. Rey’s first faculty job was as Director of the Bellevue Adult
Cardiology Clinic for Working Men and Women, the oldest specialty clinic in the U.S. He went
on to found the Non-Invasive Cardiology Center at Bellevue Hospital and the Cardiopulmonary
Rehabilitation Center at the NYU Rusk Institute.
His later years at NYU saw him establish and lead the Center for the Study of Asian
American Health, essentially creating a new academic discipline to address the health of Asian
American populations. Through collaboration with Asian American groups in New York,
research studies led by Dr. Rey and his team changed the understanding of health issues
affecting these populations. Significant findings were published in the 2009 groundbreaking
textbook, Asian American Communities and Health, for which he was the senior editor.
In recognition of his extensive work in this area, Dr. Rey received the Haven Emerson
Lifetime Achievement Award for Engagement, Education, and Research from the New York City
Public Health Association in 2012.
In addition to his extensive contributions as a physician and community health advocate, his
other professional passion was teaching. Recognized on multiple occasions as Teacher of the
Year, Dr. Rey taught courses directed at students in all four years of medical school training.
Because of his positive impact on students, he was appointed Associate Dean for Student
Affairs (Dean of Medical Students) in 2000, a position he held for seven years, during which
time there were no academic failures at NYU School of Medicine. Through his teaching and
administrative work, Dr. Rey directly influenced the careers of well over a thousand physicians
currently working around the country and the world. A teacher who will forever be
remembered by his students, his gifts and passion for education made indelible marks on
countless future doctors.
Though his professional impacts were far-reaching, his influence and care were most felt by
his family and friends. After their time working together in housing rights, Mona and Mariano
were married in 1977 and shared the next 45 years of their lives as partners in love, empathy,
and commitment to others. They instilled those same values in their children, Kathleen,
Christine and Michael, who, naturally, pursued careers in medicine and teaching. For his
friends, no matter what he was working on, he was always ready to listen, talk and offer advice.
His commitment to everyone was as clear on the individual level as it was to the communities
he served.
After retirement, Mona and Mariano moved to their long-loved second home on the island
of Martha’s Vineyard, where Mariano spent many of his final days surrounded by the nature
and peacefulness that were not always present in his early life. Unfortunately, he was never
able to make it back to his first home in Cuba.
Mariano is survived by his loving wife, Mona; his children, Kathleen Caridad (Rob), Christine
Rey, and Michael Rey (Brielle); and his five beloved grandchildren, Sophie, Lydia, Ryan, Eliza,
and Hannah; his brother, Rob Rey (Jane); his cousins, extended family, and all those individuals
and communities he touched. He is also survived by his two constant canine companions, Marti
and Maceo, a pair of Havanese named after Cuban patriots.
Gathering of family, friends and colleagues will be held at Caggiano Memorial Home in his
long-time home of Montclair, New Jersey, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on February 23, 2022. He
will be buried in his forever home in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Island Housing Trust or
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
advocate for the underserved, a widely respected cardiologist and medical educator, and a
beloved husband, father, and grandfather, died of complications from Parkinson’s Disease on
February 19, 2022. He was 72 years old.
Dr. Rey’s dedication to the care and education of others began through his own, at times
tumultuous, early life. Born on the eve of the Cuban Revolution on July 22, 1949, in Havana,
Cuba, to his father, Mariano, and mother, Elvira, Dr. Rey grew up surrounded by his very close
extended family – exploring the countryside with his cousins, playing pranks on his uncles, and
sometimes facing “punishment” from his loving and much loved grandmother. With the onset
of the revolution, in what would become known as the “Pedro Pan” exodus, he was sent by his
family to find safety in the United States.
At age 12, he arrived in New York City to live with his Uncle Rafael and Aunt Margarita; his
parents and then two-year-old brother, Roberto, stayed behind. Despite arriving knowing little
English, Mariano adapted and quickly distinguished himself as a leader and scholar. For his
immediate family, especially his brother, Rob, who arrived four years later, he became another
father figure, teaching them what he had already learned of life in the United States. At school,
the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary on East 34th St. and 2nd Ave. in New York, he ultimately
distinguished himself as the Valedictorian of the class of 1968.
Mariano then made his way across the city and enrolled at Columbia University, where, in
yet another turbulent environment, he honed his commitment to others. In addition to
excelling academically, Mariano was a leader in the student-community partnerships working
for the rights of the people of Harlem and Morningside Heights. Among other activities, he
became the head of the student-run Community Service Council, working closely with local
residents on tenant and squatter rights protests. It was there that he met Margaret Mary
(Mona) Hennessy, a Block Association organizer, the love of his life and future wife.
After his graduation from Columbia, Mariano attended New York University School of
Medicine, where he spent all of his training and professional life. He chose to pursue Cardiology
at NYU-Bellevue because of the exceptional care provided to all patients, regardless of race or
nationality, whether rich or poor. Dr. Rey’s first faculty job was as Director of the Bellevue Adult
Cardiology Clinic for Working Men and Women, the oldest specialty clinic in the U.S. He went
on to found the Non-Invasive Cardiology Center at Bellevue Hospital and the Cardiopulmonary
Rehabilitation Center at the NYU Rusk Institute.
His later years at NYU saw him establish and lead the Center for the Study of Asian
American Health, essentially creating a new academic discipline to address the health of Asian
American populations. Through collaboration with Asian American groups in New York,
research studies led by Dr. Rey and his team changed the understanding of health issues
affecting these populations. Significant findings were published in the 2009 groundbreaking
textbook, Asian American Communities and Health, for which he was the senior editor.
In recognition of his extensive work in this area, Dr. Rey received the Haven Emerson
Lifetime Achievement Award for Engagement, Education, and Research from the New York City
Public Health Association in 2012.
In addition to his extensive contributions as a physician and community health advocate, his
other professional passion was teaching. Recognized on multiple occasions as Teacher of the
Year, Dr. Rey taught courses directed at students in all four years of medical school training.
Because of his positive impact on students, he was appointed Associate Dean for Student
Affairs (Dean of Medical Students) in 2000, a position he held for seven years, during which
time there were no academic failures at NYU School of Medicine. Through his teaching and
administrative work, Dr. Rey directly influenced the careers of well over a thousand physicians
currently working around the country and the world. A teacher who will forever be
remembered by his students, his gifts and passion for education made indelible marks on
countless future doctors.
Though his professional impacts were far-reaching, his influence and care were most felt by
his family and friends. After their time working together in housing rights, Mona and Mariano
were married in 1977 and shared the next 45 years of their lives as partners in love, empathy,
and commitment to others. They instilled those same values in their children, Kathleen,
Christine and Michael, who, naturally, pursued careers in medicine and teaching. For his
friends, no matter what he was working on, he was always ready to listen, talk and offer advice.
His commitment to everyone was as clear on the individual level as it was to the communities
he served.
After retirement, Mona and Mariano moved to their long-loved second home on the island
of Martha’s Vineyard, where Mariano spent many of his final days surrounded by the nature
and peacefulness that were not always present in his early life. Unfortunately, he was never
able to make it back to his first home in Cuba.
Mariano is survived by his loving wife, Mona; his children, Kathleen Caridad (Rob), Christine
Rey, and Michael Rey (Brielle); and his five beloved grandchildren, Sophie, Lydia, Ryan, Eliza,
and Hannah; his brother, Rob Rey (Jane); his cousins, extended family, and all those individuals
and communities he touched. He is also survived by his two constant canine companions, Marti
and Maceo, a pair of Havanese named after Cuban patriots.
Gathering of family, friends and colleagues will be held at Caggiano Memorial Home in his
long-time home of Montclair, New Jersey, from 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm on February 23, 2022. He
will be buried in his forever home in Edgartown, Massachusetts.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Martha’s Vineyard Island Housing Trust or
Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.