Refugio Mina-Olivares, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, and respected craftsman, passed away suddenly on April 26, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee. Born on July 4, 1965, in Guanajuato Juventino Rosas, Mexico, Refugio was a man whose life was defined by love, dedication, and an unyielding passion for both family and his work.

For over 35 years, Refugio built a remarkable career as a brick mason, earning the admiration and respect of colleagues throughout the construction industry. Yet, despite his professional accomplishments, his proudest achievements were not measured in bricks laid or structures raised but in the love and strength of his family. Referred to affectionately as Dad and Pa Cucu, he was the heart and soul of the Mina household. He and his wife Tammy shared 38 and a half years together, a partnership built on mutual respect, laughter, and unwavering support. Tammy and their children—Daniel Mina, Nicolas and Jade Mina, Ana Mina, and Rosa Mina—along with grandchildren Keigon Ledbetter, Archie Pedro-Mina, Eden Mina, and Theo Mina, formed the core of a family that brought Refugio immense joy and pride.

Refugio’s love extended beyond his immediate family. He treasured moments spent with his mother-in-law, Rita Chinander; his sisters, Lupe and Rafael Ariza, Rosa Mina Olivares; and brothers, Jose Mina, Julian and Adela Mina, Felipe Mina, and Salvio Mina. Their bonds enriched his life deeply and were sources of happiness that he cherished.

A man of pure spirit and constant joy, Refugio was always happy, a sentiment that seemed to carry him through life with lightness and hope. Music and dancing were among his great loves, and nothing pleased him more than sharing these simple pleasures with his large, extended family—including nieces, nephews, and all gathered close by. His favorite pastime was fishing, often venturing to the ocean alongside his sons, Daniel and Nicolas, embracing both the tranquility and adventure of the sea. Coupled with his love for traveling, these moments were highlights of his life. Moreover, cooking the fish he caught to share with friends and family was one of his heartfelt ways to create memories and celebrate togetherness.

Refugio was preceded in death by his parents, Guadalupe and Severina Mina,brothers Santiago and Sergio Mina and stepson Trae Tucker. Their memories remain woven into the legacy he leaves behind—a legacy not defined solely by the years he graced this earth but by the enduring love he cultivated in every relationship.

On this day, we remember Refugio Mina-Olivares not only for the brick mason who built towering structures but for the man who built bridges between hearts. His spirit will live on in the music that filled his life, the dance that lifted his soul, the ocean that called him home, and most profoundly, in the hearts of all who loved him. He was truly a great family man, the best dad and grandfather anyone could ask for, and his presence will be dearly missed yet forever held close by all who knew him.