Meet the People of Cozumel

Ever Wonder Where the Locals come from?

By Amber Hightower

This is the first of a series that will introduce you to some of our wonderful Cozumel locals

Meet Rita and Sava

In 1974, Rita Sheese traded bitter Chicago winters for a rich and exciting life in Cozumel and has since become as much a part of Cozumel as the island’s signature sunsets. Rita began her adventure as a dive instructor on the island, running her own dive operation for three years.

In 1975, she owned one of the few dive lights on the island, so when Ramon Bravo, Mexico’s renowned oceanographer, ecologist, and underwater film maker, came to town, Rita naturally landed a job as a stunt double using her dive light in an underwater night scene in Bravo’s production. It was the start of what would be a more than 20-year professional relationship between Rita and Bravo that resulted in nearly 50 productions, including movies with Bravo’s infamous shark sequences, documentaries, and commercials, filmed in the Mexican Caribbean. Whenever Bravo filmed on the island, Rita was his production manager and underwater still photographer.

In 1976, she and Jerry Greenburg, using infrared technology, collaborated on the creation and publication of the first dive map of Cozumel’s extensive reef formation. She formed an import company that, for 25 years, brought the maps to the island, along with underwater species guides and charts and other tools that divers take for granted these days.

Over the years, Rita, managed the international yachts in Puerto de Abrigo for 6 years, participated in the planning of the Museo de Cozumel in 1985-86, and, following in her father’s footsteps and love for real estate, spent more than 16 years managing property and working in real estate in Cozumel. She has been with Coldwell Banker, Cozumel Bienes Raices, for the past four years.

Rita’s kind spirit and infectious, easy smile endear her to those who know her. She describes her life as “old style Cozumel,” which is evident from the list of things she loves most about the island, “the people, the air, the sea.” Simply. Mar-velous.

“Sava” to his friends, Angel Emmanuel Savalegui Trejo, moved to Cozumel from Tizimín, about 8 years ago. He is the nephew of Tony Graniel, a celebrated local musician and composer. The apple didn’t fall far from the tree, as Sava has established himself as a popular and talented performer and musician in the Cozumelanian rock music scene.

He currently performs with his band 6-Pack at Azugar’s, a night club tucked away where tourists who like to wander off the beaten path and locals “in the know” literally pack the joint Thursday through Saturday nights to listen to Sava belt out a wide range of rock tunes in English and Spanish – he is fluent in both languages - and energize the crowd with his gritty, no frills showmanship. He and the band enjoy making music on stage, and it shows.

When Sava’s not rocking, he lends his time to local political campaigns. Otherwise, he can be found at the beach with his friends, catching a wave. His plans for the future are like those of any up and coming ambitious and talented musician – to be a rock star, of course. Survey says, he is on his way.

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