Bishop Emeritus Felix Vincent Cuestas

Bishop Emeritus Felix Vincent Cuestas

On October 3, 2017 Bishop Emeritus Felix Vincent Cuestas, left the life he knew, to be with the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom he served for over 40 years.  Born to Ruth and Felix V. Cuestas Sr. on July 11, 1934 in Brooklyn, New York, he was the only living son of their four children. `As a child Vince fought a long and agonizing battled with Rheumatic Fever, but through it all, he never lost his curiosity about the Kingdom of God and its importance and relationship to all humanity.  Therefore, it was no surprise to his parents that at an early age, this inquisitive young child became a witness for God and professed Him as his Lord and Savior, as he served as an altar boy for the Episcopal Church. 

“Vince" as he liked to be called, would grow and discovered life, but his thirst and desire to know, and spread the message of the perfect One, only intensified.  Not even the threat of war, waivered Vince from the path God had placed before him. Shortly after serving in the United States Army, he set out on a spiritual journey to educate himself on the teachings of God’s Word.  In 1978, he became licensed to preach the Gospel, and was ordained as a minister in 1980.  In 1990, Reverend Cuestas founded Saint Philip the Deacon Church in Harlem, New York, and later would pastor the Bethel Community Church in Staten Island, New York.  

He retired from Pan Am Airways as a computer programmer and later from Harlem Hospital as a chaplain for the hospital’s geriatric department.  Reverend Felix Vincent Cuestas received his Master degree in Theology in 1981, and a Doctor of Ministry degree in 1985.  Dr. Cuestas was elevated to the Office of Bishop in 1999.  Upon retiring to Fort Wayne, Indiana he was received as a Bishop with the OCCA – Orthodox Catholic Church of America in 2001.    

Bishop Cuestas has served as a volunteered police officer in Brooklyn, New York, and a member of the Federal Police Officers Chaplaincy.  Upon relocating to Fort Wayne, Indiana Bishop Cuestas served as the Chaplain of the Fort Wayne Fire Department for nine years, and volunteered as a Chaplain for the Allen County Jail and the VA.  He has been a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity since 1985.  In 1990 he met his best-friend and number one supporter, Kris’ta; the coupled married in January of 1993.

Bishop Cuestas leaves to cherish his memory, his wife Kris’ta of 24 years; two children, Anthony V. Cuestas of New York and Patricia A. Dube of Georgia.  Three step-children, Stacey M. (Bonnie) Jenkins, Indiana; Tracey M. (Jennise) Jenkins of Kansas; and Yvette (Vincent) Chapman, Indiana.  Sisters, Ruth Cuestas of Washington D.C., the Reverend Kathryn Boeschenstine of New Mexico, and Delores Draft of California. Five grandchildren: Taryn Black, Corey Richburg, Taylor Jenkins, Jordan Jenkins, and Landon Jenkins, and a host of special nieces, nephews and friends.  He was preceded in death by his brother, Philip Cuestas, his parents Ruth and Felix Cuestas, and grandson Lindsey Richburg.  

Memorial services will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 at 12:00 pm at St. Mary Magdala Spiritual Center, 2800 Rolston Street in Fort Wayne.

Officiating the memorial service will be Bishop John Newbauer.

Memorial donations may be directed to St. Mary Magdala Spiritual Center 

Arrangements entrusted to Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne    

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