Rafael Ithier, a Puerto Rican pianist and the founder of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, passed away on Saturday, December 6, due to health complications.He is survived by his wife Carmen Soto, and six children - Carlos, Pedro, Thelma, Mérida, Ivonne, and Maritza. No cause of death has been revealed yet.Born in Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, Ithier studied at the Escuela Libre de Música in San Juan. He loved music since he was a kid and began playing professionally at the age of 18 with small bands like Conjunto Lucerito and Conjunto Taone led by Tito Henriquez. He later joined the U.S. Army and served during the Korean war. While he was in Korea, he started a music group called the Los Borinquena Mambo Boys.In 1962, Ithier co-founded El Gran Combo with musicians including Eddie Pérez, Héctor Santos, Roberto Roena, Rogelio "Quito" Vélez, Martín Quiñones, and Miguel Cruz. He debuted with his album, Meneame Los Mangos. Continue to read for more information.All we know about Rafael Ithier’s family Rafael Ithier’s departure marked the end of an era for the orchestra. Tributes have been pouring in from the Latin music world, remembering him for his work.In addition to being a music director, Ithier was also an arranger, pianist and composer. He was the son of Mayagüezans Nicolás “Macaco” Ithier and Mérida Natal. They were both from Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. He reportedly had a sister named Esperanza.Ithier grew up in a musical family in Río Piedras; his uncle Salvador Ithier played with Puerto Rican legend Rafael Hernández.While speaking on his salsa orchestra, El Gran Combo De Puerto Rico’s performance in Australia, Rafael Ithier said:“We have to work. We're like a family. This is what we've decided to live for. Besides that we are representing our land… these are very important things. We are very proud we were born here in Puerto Rico.”It is not known when Ithier married his wife, Carmen Soto. Rafael Ithier’s daughter, Maritza, is a member of the Puerto Rico Floral Designers Association. According to the company’s bio, it is a “non-profit entity dedicated to representing, strengthening and promoting the professional development of the floral designers' guild on the island.”She paid tribute to her father by resharing a post from Saleno TV on Facebook, which read:“Before, now and always, thank you teacher. Rest in peace Rafael Ithier.”His daughter, Thelma, is a freelance singer, according to her LinkedIn profile. She studied at the Manhattan School of Music. She is also the recipient of the 2023 President’s Medal of Honor for her commitment to the students at Hostos Community College. According to the college’s Instagram page, she also studied at the University of Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music, where she trained under the leadership of renowned soprano Olga Iglesias. She has performed at stages such as the National Theater of the Dominican Republic, the University of Puerto Rico Theater, and the Tapia Theater in Old San Juan.Rafael Ithier’s daughter, Ivonne M Ithier, married Rafael Jusino. They live together in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. According to her Facebook profile, she went to Papa Juan XXIII School. She is currently President at Enhorabuena, Inc.Ithier’s son, Carlos Ithier, currently serves as the President, Professional Event Consultant at SpynMastaz Entertainment. His Facebook profile noted that he studied Audio Engineering/Recording Arts at SUNY Oneonta. He also studied Civil Engineering Technology and Business Management.