Veteran Cuban-American journalist Rafael Pineda died at his Florida home on the night of January 25. He was 88. The cause of death remains undisclosed at the time of writing.Pineda is best remembered as the anchor for WXTV, the New York City-based Spanish affiliate of Univision 41. In the wake of his demise, his former employer paid tribute in a statement shared with ABC7NY.“Univision 41 today announced with deep sadness the passing of Rafael Pineda, a longtime colleague, respected journalist, and pioneering voice in Hispanic media whose legacy helped shape Spanish-language journalism in the United States,” WXTV’s statement read.It continued:“Throughout his distinguished career, he was recognized for his integrity, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the communities he served. He was among the first Hispanic television anchors to interview a sitting U.S. president, and his contributions to journalism earned him numerous honors.”All about Rafael PinedaRafael Pineda was born in Pinar del Rio, Baracoa, Cuba, in December 1937. He emigrated to the USA ahead of his 20th birthday to pursue a career in media. He got his first notable gig in 1972 as a news anchor and reporter on Univision 41.Pineda later became a senior, full-time broadcaster for WXTV, a role in which he served for over two decades between 1968 and 1988. He also hosted the network’s first-ever Spanish interview series in the Tri-State area, called Punto y Aparte OR “New Paragraph.”Rafael Pineda also famously co-hosted the OTI Festival in 1983 alongside Ana Carlota.After spending four decades on WXTV, he retired in December 2013, being the longest-serving anchor in the history of New York City television. Back then, Pineda shared:“It has been a privilege to work for a community that welcomed me with open arms and taught me to grow with it over the years. If they gave me a chance to live my life again, I would do it exactly the same. This was my family ... here are my brothers, sisters ... this is my house, but with all of you,” he shared, referencing Univision 41.In June 2005, Mr Pineda was inducted into the Walk of Fame at the Celia Cruz Park in Union City, New Jersey. Eight years later, he also earned a star on the New York State Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame.He is also a recipient of an Emmy Award, seven ACE Awards, and the 2005 HOLA! Award for Excellence in Spanish Media, among other accolades. The year 2000 saw him become the first Latino member of the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS).Amid his demise, the network shared that Rafael Pineda’s legacy lived through his retirement, and their viewers would often inquire about him in the last 13 years.Several colleagues and fans are also pouring in their tributes on social media. For instance, Adriana Vargas-Sino, the current Vice President of News for Univision 41, shared in a statement:“He [Rafael Pineda] was a pillar of our newsroom and a trusted voice for generations of viewers. His commitment to journalistic excellence and his deep respect for our community set the standard for Spanish-language news in New York.”The network’s Senior Vice President for content strategy and operations for the East Coast, Roberto Yanez, also echoed similar sentiments.“I had the privilege to work alongside Rafael. Every single day, he made it a point to walk the entire newsroom floor and personally greet each person before starting his work. He was a true gentleman - a respected journalist, deeply admired and loved by all who knew him,” Yanez noted.Rafael Pineda is survived by his wife and children.