Antonio Molina ("Papa") of Rockland, MA, passed away unexpectedly on October 28, 2021.  Papa was born in Barranquilla, Colombia on April 21, 1937, and grew up playing soccer (futbol), baseball, basketball, and ping pong.  He attended la Universidad Nacional in Bogota, Colombia, where he received a bachelors in Pharmaceutical Chemistry.  He worked for various pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, Upjohn and GlaxoSmithKline in research and development and as a plant manager.  Additionally, he founded Industrias "El Tomatico" ( www.eltomatico.com ), which his son Juan Antonio Molina continues to operate.

Papa will be remembered for his vivacious spirit, his love of cooking, and his passion for dancing to Vallenato, Cumbia and Salsa music with his beloved Clarita.  The achievements of his children and grandchildren brought him immense pride, and he more than willingly celebrated all his family's accomplishments and milestones.  For him there was nothing better than enjoying a rice dish, a lively futbol match of his favorite teams Barcelona and La Seleccion de Futbol de Colombia, or a Red Sox or Patriots game – and always in the company of his loyal Chihuahua, Lolita.

Antonio is survived by his wife of 50 years, Clara Vergara-Molina and their six children: Nelly (Molina) Waldron (San Diego, CA), Antonio Molina (Brockton, MA), Juan Antonio Molina (Bogota, Colombia), Margarita Mehalic (Albuquerque, NM), Ruth Mary Molina (Bridgewater, MA) and Marcela Molina-Pollard (Milton, MA), along with their spouses, and his 13 (and counting) grandchildren.  There will be a visitation between 5:00-7:00 pm on November 4, 2021 at Quealy and Son Funeral Home, 116 Adams Street, Abington, MA, 02351.  A funeral mass will be held at 10:30 am on November 5, 2021 at St. Bridget Parish, 455 Plymouth Street, Abington, MA, 02351, followed by interment at St. Patrick's Cemetery, 125 Central Street, Rockland, MA, 02370.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the New England Association for Colombian Children at https://givebutter.com/holdinghands/ruthmolina