Demensio Velez

Demencio Velez, beloved patriarch of the Velez-Morales family, passed away peacefully at the age of 90 on February 13, 2024. He was born on May 23, 1933 in his beloved town of Gurabo in Puerto Rico and dubbed the nickname Lili. He was the eldest son of Geraldo & Rafaela Velez and is survived by his 5 brothers Angel Luis, Carmelo, Herminio, Luis, Geraldo Jr.; his 5 sisters, Elisa, Adelaida, Maria, Emma, Ines and his daughters, Sonia and Lourdes, son-in-law, Ricardo and numerous grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his eldest daughter, Elizabeth. Demensio was a devoted father and family man who cherished spending time with his loved ones. Above all, he had a huge heart for his native country of Puerto Rico where he cultivated land with his family growing up. He moved to Miami in the late 1950s and took on work at a hotel as a cook and assistant. He then moved to New York City and spent the rest of his life working within the manufacturing industry and as a NYC cab driver and was always able to provide for his family. Throughout his life, he often enjoyed a few memorable hobbies with his family: attending horse races with his brothers, watching wrestling with grandson - Ryan, traveling, cooking (oh boy, could he cook!) and was a huge fan of the New York Yankees (not a peep in the house while the game was on, those were the rules!). Demencio cherished his role as the family's elder figure. He leaves behind a legacy of love, strength, and family values that will be carried on by those who knew him. He will be forever remembered and dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. May he rest in eternal peace.

A memorial service to celebrate Demencio's life will be held at RG Ortiz Funeral Home: 4425 Broadway, NY, NY on Sunday, February 25th, 4-7pm. There will also be a celebration of life mass at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs: 81 Arden Street, NY, NY on Monday, February 26th followed by burial services to his final resting place at St. Raymond Cemetery in the Bronx. In lieu of flowers, please consider a tribute donation to the Alzheimer’s Association.