Friends and family of the late José Joaquín Trejos will gather at the Metropolitan Cathedral Friday at 11 a.m. for the former president's funeral, remembering the leader who focused on getting the country's finances in order.

Trejos died at age 93 of natural causes on Wednesday in his home in Montes de Oca.

His son, former legislator Juan José Trejos, told local newspapers that his father's health had been deteriorating since he had been in a car accident last year, but that it had worsened this past week.

Trejos, who was president from 1966 to 1970, was the only president elected from the National Unity Party. An academic who taught mathematics at the University of Costa Rica, Trejos, a neophyte in the political realm, defeated seasoned politician and former President Daniel Oduber.

His support came from an alliance formed by the Republican Party (the Calderonistas) and the National Unity Party (Ulatistas), a significant partnership because those parties had stood at opposite ends during the armed uprising in 1948.

“(Trejos) is a great leader who did much to unite the Costa Rican family,” said former President Rafael Angel Calderón. “His legacy will be that of a man who defended his principles of Christian humanism, rectitude and honesty.”

The Trejos administration is remembered for its fight to balance the budget, creation of the Banco Popular and the National Power and Light Company (CNFL), passage of a law to bar presidential re-election (which was repealed in 2003, [paving the way for the re-election of Oscar Arias) and progress on a handful of infrastructure projects, such as the carretera rustico roadway to Limón and the Inter-American Highway.

Known for his campaign slogan, “ manos limpias, ” or clean hands, a term he adopted to market the fact he hadn't dirtied himself in politics, Trejos was widely respected for his honesty and openness.

“José Joaquín showed that the exercise of political power can be transparent,” said President-elect Laura Chinchilla. “He is certainly an example to follow.”

His death comes after that of former President Rodrigo Carazo (1978-1982), who passed away less than two months ago of heart complications.