Patricia Kricos, Ph.D.

Patricia Kricos, Ph.D., a former professor of audiology in the department of speech, language, and hearing sciences, passed away July 5 in Sarasota. Kricos, who retired from the college in 2012, was an internationally respected educator and scholar whose work focused on audiologic rehabilitation in children and older adults.

Kricos joined the UF faculty in 1981. She led the development of the university’s Doctor of Audiology program — one of the first in the U.S. — and served as the program’s director from 1999 to 2003. She then collaborated with colleagues to create the distance learning Doctor of Audiology program, one of the first in the country.

She served in many national leadership positions during her career, including as president of the American Academy of Audiology and the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology, and editor of the Journal of the Academy of Rehabilitative Audiology.

In an article published on the American Academy of Audiology website, UF colleagues Linda Lombardino, Ph.D., Kenneth Logan, Ph.D., and Lori Altmann, Ph.D., describe Kricos’ legacy.

“As well as being the consummate academic and exceptional researcher and administrator, she was a widely admired and valued friend to those of us in the profession. Possessing an exceptional humor and a warm and gracious personality, she will be remembered as a treasured friend and colleague by all who knew her. We have lost her wisdom but gained from her influence through many students and friends. Her influence lives on.”

Francisco “Paco” Vilallonga

Francisco “Paco” Vilallonga, the college’s accountant from 1972 until his retirement in 1997, died May 14 at the age of 99.

Before joining UF, he was the vice president of financial affairs at a successful company in his native Cuba. But when he and his family left in 1961 for Spain during the Cuban exodus, it was time to start over. They eventually made their way to Gainesville in 1967. Vilallonga’s first campus job was delivering supplies for Shands Hospital store before transitioning to work in the store’s office.

At the college, Vilallonga was known as a “resident computer” who quickly and accurately compiled and analyzed data. One of his proudest accomplishments was transitioning the college’s accounting from a manual operation to a fully computerized system. In 1988, the National Institute of Health’s Division of Research Resources honored Vilallonga for his work administering the NIH’s Scientific Review and Evaluation Award system. He received the college’s first Employee of the Year award in 1983 to a standing ovation.

Co-workers were struck by his pride in working for the university and love for his adopted community.

“His love and dedication for our country and flag was infectious,” said former colleague Cheryl May.

Miriam Cadelinia

Miriam Cadelinia, an administrative support assistant in the dean’s office, passed away July 14. A native of the San Francisco area, she joined the college in 2017 following a long career as an executive assistant at several corporations in southern California, including Verizon Wireless.

In her role in the dean’s office, Cadelinia was often one of the first people college visitors encountered. She was known for greeting everyone with a warm smile and kind words and was always eager to help her colleagues in any way she could. Co-workers remember her for her generosity, sincerity, enthusiasm and concern for others. She brightened the lives of many people through her laughter, positive nature and caring conversation.

“Throughout her time with the dean’s office, Miriam touched the lives of many faculty, staff and visitors to the college,” said Dean Michael G. Perri. “She was a very special person, a dedicated employee, and she will be missed by her friends and co-workers.”