News Summary
Eduardo Pablo Zorrilla, an esteemed engineer and beloved family man, passed away at home after a courageous battle with cancer. Born in Cuba, he rose to prominence in the engineering field, contributing significantly to major projects. Zorrilla was remembered for his warmth, love for family, and passion for music. He is survived by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His legacy continues through his considerable achievements in engineering and the impact he had on those around him.
Houston, Texas – Eduardo Pablo Zorrilla, a distinguished engineer and a cherished family man, passed away peacefully at his home on August 29, 2025, at the age of 86. Surrounded by family and caretakers, Zorrilla succumbed to a seven-year battle with two types of cancer. Before his passing, his family serenaded him with “Guantanamera,” a renowned Cuban song that held special meaning for him.
Zorrilla was born on June 30, 1939, in Surgidero de Batabano, Cuba. He demonstrated ambitious intelligence from an early age, graduating as Valedictorian from Ruston Academy in Havana. Although he had intended to attend the University of La Habana, he ultimately moved to the United States after the university’s closure due to political circumstances at the time. Zorrilla was awarded a full scholarship to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering in 1961.
In 1961, Zorrilla immigrated from Cuba with only five dollars to his name. His parents joined him in the U.S. several years later. He worked as a Research Engineer at Johns Manville until 1964, frequently traveling to Europe to lend his expertise to manufacturers in countries such as Ireland, Belgium, Spain, and Italy. Following this role, he served as a Design Engineer with American Bridge for a year, contributing to the designs of major projects, including the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge in New York and the Angostura Bridge over the Orinoco River in Venezuela.
Zorrilla completed a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, graduating summa cum laude from Newark College of Engineering in 1966. He was then employed by Foster Wheeler Corporation, where he worked in the petrochemical industry until 1981, holding various positions including Director of Engineering by the age of 37. He managed a team of 500 engineers and was recognized for developing patented inventions that advanced refinery processes and served as an expert investigator during petrochemical plant incidents.
In 1981, he established Zydex Engineering and Zydex, Inc. at the age of 42, consulting for notable oil companies such as Shell Oil and American Petrofina. One of his significant contributions to the field was the development of the Plant Design System (PDS) in collaboration with Intergraph Corporation, which revolutionized computer-aided design in engineering.
Apart from his professional accomplishments, Zorrilla had a rich personal life filled with diverse interests. He enjoyed hiking, racquetball, handball, swimming, painting, and home renovations. His deep appreciation for familial love and education stemmed from his early life experiences, where he prioritized these values over material possessions. Zorrilla also had a passion for music, particularly Cuban and opera, often enjoying the melodies of “Granada” and “O Sole Mio.”
Eduardo Pablo Zorrilla is remembered for his contributions to engineering and the warmth he brought to his family. He was predeceased by his father, Basilio Zorrilla; mother, Mercedes Alvarez Zorrilla; and brother, Fermin Zorrilla. He is survived by his wife Gisela, sons Alex and Eric (along with daughter-in-law Jennifer), daughter Karen, and granddaughters Carolina, Natalia, Bianca, and Isabel.
His family expressed sincere gratitude to caretakers Chayo and Yolanda for their unwavering support during Zorrilla’s illness. Visitation for friends and family will be held on September 5, 2025, from 4 PM to 8 PM at Geo. H. Lewis & Sons in Houston. A funeral service is scheduled for September 6, 2025, at 10:30 AM at the same location, followed by burial at Memorial Oaks Cemetery in Houston. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation, with flowers requested in all colors except yellow.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Dignity Memorial: Eduardo Zorrilla Obituary
- Wikipedia: Cuba
- Dignity Memorial: Eduardo Zorrilla’s Contributions
- Google Search: Engineering Achievements
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Eduardo Zorrilla
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
