Miami-Dade County Commissioner Lynda Bell took part in the codesignation of a section of the Miami-Dade Busway from SW 120th Street to 136th Street as “Roger J. Barreto Way” on Oct. 24 in honor of the renowned patriarch of the Barreto family.
Surrounded by many members of his family including five of his sons and his daughter, Commissioner Bell unveiled the street sign that will commemorate the life of the beloved and respected Roger Barreto.
“Roger Barreto was a man of great vision and accomplishment, who, through a lifetime of work and dedication in the Florida East Coast Railway, helped establish Miami and South Florida as the thriving metropolis it is today,” Commissioner Bell said.
“Mr. Barreto was a man of principle, conviction, and unwavering commitment to his profession, his community, and his family. But most importantly, Roger was a man who saw public service as a way of life and instilled those values of the highest calling in his children, many of whom are public servants in their own right,” Commissioner Bell said.
Roger J. Barreto served in the Florida East Coast Railway System for most of his career. He became president of the Miami Rotary Club and served as chair of the Industrial Development Authority of Miami-Dade County for over 20 years.
He served as a member of the Property and Asset Review Committee for the City of Miami for many years and lent his services to the Salvation Army for 20 years and the Council 726 of the Knights of Columbus for over 64.
During his career, Mr. Barreto was instrumental in the elimination of the railroad tracks in downtown Miami which helped facilitate the expansion of the Miami-Dade Metromover System, as well as provide extensive assistance in acquiring the necessary funding for Joe Robbie Stadium, the renowned facility now known as Sun Life Stadium.
Roger J. Barreto passed away on Sept. 10.
