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My grandfather Saul Acosta-Dominguez was born in Huimanguillo, Tabasco, Mexico on September 24, 1893.

His father grew tobacco on his land and ran a prosperous cigar manufacturing business at his Hacienda.  He was attacked and killed by a tigrillo (which is some kind of a lynx), when my grandfather was only 6 years old.

My grandfather’s godfather offered to take over the hacienda and the cigar business.  Little did my great-grandmother know that the business would be taken away from her some years later… her once financially secured future was no longer there due to the greed of a treacherous miserable man.  Her compadre.  My grandpa’s godfather!

There was nothing my great-grandmother could do so

she decided to move to the city of Villahermosa with her children.  My grandfather Saul decided to go to school and helped out his mother by selling papers and shining shoes.  He managed to finish high school, but he wanted more.  My grandfather wanted to become a lawyer.

He went to see a man he’d admired his whole life: Francisco J. Santamaria who, then, was the head master at the university. (The same Francisco J. Santamaria who would later be elected as Governor to Tabasco and authored several books).

Mr. Santamaria disputed my grandfather’s ambitions telling him that ‘his kind’ should never think about a university degree.  He told my grandfather to go learn a trade as it was a ‘better choice’ for ‘his kind’, therefore he stood in the way of my grandpa’s hopes and dreams by turning down his university application.

My grandfather was left with no possibilities of getting a higher education so he decided that - in fact - he did need to learn some trade if he wanted to make a decent living.

My grandfather Saul found out that the distinguished J. Jano Mitchell School from New York was there… in town, in Villahermosa, so he signed himself in to become a Tailor.

By the time my grandfather graduated as a Tailor he’d already made a name for himself in the community so it was easy for him to open his shop.  He became, not just the best Tailor in town, but famous for his excellent work and the high quality materials he used.  He became so successful that he opened up a clothing store, in addition to his Tailor’s shop, where he also offered first class imported products.

The sky was the limit to my grandpa Saul who always dressed in white linen.  Always smelled great.  Always stylish!  And people came from all over the place to get a Saul Acosta design or buy something at his store.  

As the years went by my grandfather imagined new horizons.  So he decided to sell everything and leave - with his wife and daughters - for New York, in the United States of America.

He began making all the arrangements necessary for his departure.  But his hopes and dreams for new horizons were shattered when a guerrilla started in Tabasco.   A guerrilla between two sides who called themselves The Reds and The Blues.

A self-centered violent man named Tomas Garrido-Canabal was in command of The Reds and he decided to seize my grandfather’s store - along with my grandfather - to manufacture uniforms for his militia.  This man cared about nothing but himself and he was responsible for almost having my grandpa go broke…
By the time the guerrilla was over, my grandfather started all over again!  And he made it!
One day my grandfather was told that an electric short at the store next door started a fire and that his store had caught fire too.  It was all lost in that fire.

My grandfather was a careful well-prepared man.  He was insured so he got the money from the insurance company and decided to buy a property to set up a new store in the future… the store of his dreams.

Life was smiling again to my grandpa Saul.  He was fortunate enough to win the lotto… the big prize in 1951 so his plans and dreams became true sooner than he’d expected.

So he began the construction of a five story building in the property he’d purchased.  Store on the ground floor, tailor’s shop and storage area in the first floor, and the rest were three apartments… along with an elevator, for him and his daughters.  The most elegant store in Villahermosa, Tabasco… a large well-stocked store… and the most famous one! ‘Saul Acosta-Dominguez Department Store’.

He shared his good fortune in various ways.  My grandfather used to place a bowl with money on the counter at his store for anyone in need and without having to ask for it.  That bowl was always full as my grandpa couldn’t bear the thought of it being empty.  He was an important member of the Chamber of Commerce and was an honorary member at the Rotary Club where he kept on being appointed as the Treasurer.

My grandfather provided jobs for those who were discriminated against, either for being poor, disabled, race, or whatever reason.  My grandfather Saul was a fair, sensitive, and kind man with anyone he happened to cross paths.  He was a good husband, father, grandpa, and friend.

Many people today feel lucky to have met him.  Some thank him for having a home, a hacienda, a business, or bread on their tables… they thank the kindness and generosity that made Don Saul an unforgettable man.

My grandfather Saul died on September 29, 1960.  He lived his life as someone who could not stand to see someone suffer from an injustice, or need… and asked for nothing in return… he loved life.  He was loved and many miss him still.

Not long ago, the Governor for Tabasco distinguished my grandfather by naming a street after him at the city of Villahermosa.   In his honor and his memory.  A street that carries the name of that beloved and admired man: Don Saul Acosta-Dominguez!

What a great row model!

That's my grandpa right there up front and on the left!!