Obituary of Alfonso Quintin Llano

Alfonso Q. Llano, affectionately known as “Chango,” passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones in Washington Township, New Jersey, on October 13, 2025, at the age of 85.

Born in Tupiza, Bolivia, to Francisco and Eudosia Cortez-Llano, Alfonso immigrated to the United States in 1964, where he built a life devoted to education, culture, and family. He married Teresa Amanda Rozo on June 23, 1966, in La Paz, Bolivia, and together they boarded a plane to begin their new life in the United States. 

A passionate educator for more than 35 years, Alfonso taught Spanish at the secondary level at Watchung Hills Regional High School. He later served as an Adjunct Professor of Spanish at Raritan Valley Community College. He also shared his expertise with the corporate world, providing language instruction to organizations including McDonald’s, Ortho Pharmaceutical, Johnson & Johnson, and Hunterdon Medical Center. His lifelong mission was to illuminate the beauty of the Spanish language and the richness of the Latino diaspora, inspiring pride, curiosity, and cultural understanding in generations of students.

Alfonso’s love of travel carried him across every continent. As a proud member of Viking Cruises’ Captain’s Club, he spent 18 years exploring the world with his beloved wife, Teresa, by his side. A devoted reader, he found great meaning in Don Quixote—particularly in its enduring message: “To fight with his last ounce of courage to reach the unreachable star.”

He sincerely believed in the power of language, literature, and cultural identity, teaching his family and students to understand their roots and take pride in them. Above all, Alfonso cherished his family. To him, the greatest joy in life was simply being together.

Alfonso is survived by his devoted wife, Teresa Llano; his children Cassandra (and Larry Lawrence of Old Bridge, NJ), Cynthia (and Brian Sharkey of High Bridge, NJ), Cecilia (and Kurt Hoeflein of Easton, PA), and Alfonso Jr. (and Lizette Otero-Llano); and his beloved grandchildren Ashley, Bailey (and Jasmine Lawrence), Victoria (and Ray Martin), Brian, Hannah (and Sean Boylan), Haille, Abel, Owen, and Quintin. His love, wisdom, and humor will live on in all who knew him.

Visitation for family and friends will be held on Saturday, October 18^th from 1:00 until 4:00 PM with eulogies to conclude the service starting at 3:30 PM. All services will be held at Martin Funeral Home, located at 1761 Route 31, Clinton NJ 08809. To share memories with the family please visit www.martinfh.com.

In place of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Alfonso Llano to Repertorio Español, an organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Spanish-language theatre, at the following link: IN MEMORY OF OUR LONGTIME SUPPORTER ALFONSO QUINTIN LLANO