Oscar Peraza

Oscar and Georgina gave birth to their daughter, Georgina Maria, in Havana in November of 1961.

Soon thereafter, Oscar realized that newly revolutionized, communist Cuba was not the place to raise a family. Making a decision that required great courage, Oscar decided to place the needs of his wife, daughter, and future-born kids above all else, and move to the USA. It was a decision that would cause him great pain, as he would leave behind his mother, sister, brother and countless relatives. Along with his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Oscar brought his young family to America: with nothing but the clothes they were wearing, no money, no job, no command of the English language. He did it all, forsaking himself, so that his family could live in a truly free country.

After a brief time in Miami, Oscar and his family arrived in Houston in 1962. In January of 1963, Oscar landed a job, and they would give birth to their first son, Oscar Jesus. In December of that same year, they gave birth to their second son, Juan Carlos (that’s right—two (2) babies, 11 months apart).

Oscar would work for P.H.S., a small tobacco and candy distribution company, for over 30 years, until the company’s closing. Oscar had a tremendous work ethic that was driven by an innate desire to provide for his family. Oscar was fully entrusted by the ownership at P.H.S., due to his high integrity. At times, though fully employed by P.H.S., Oscar took 2nd and even 3rd jobs to provide for his growing family, which had grown with the birth of Jorge Alberto and David Gabriel in 1966 and 1969, respectively.

Oscar wasn’t all work though. Although funds were always tight, he always managed to take his family to the beach on weekends where he taught everyone the joys of fishing. Oscar was one of the founders of the Cuban Baseball League in Houston, where, for many years, men who had emigrated from Cuba got together on Sunday afternoons for a formal, summer-long baseball season. He played all the way into his 50s, and was honored once with the seasonal MVP award. It brought him so much joy, when his sons grew old enough to play with him in the league, even winning the league championship one year with a team that consisted of five (5) Perazas.

When P.H.S. closed its doors, Oscar went to work for Goya Foods, a company that was a true blessing in many ways. He was eternally grateful for the love and support that he received from Goya, especially, when Oscar was forced to retire, in order to stay home and care for his ailing wife, Georgina. He cared for her tirelessly and selflessly, until her passing in August of 2010.

Family meant everything to Oscar. He sacrificed everything to love, care for, and provide for his family. He took great joy in all his grandkids and great grandkids. Nothing brought him more joy than seeing the entire family together. Those moments sustained him.

Oscar is survived by sister Cloty Peraza; daughter Georgina Brown and husband Kevin; son Oscar Peraza and wife Lisa; son Juan Peraza and wife Leigh; son Jorge Peraza and wife Mairim; son David Peraza and wife Crissy; sixteen (16) grandchildren and seven (7) great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, June 23, 6:00-8:00 pm at Forest Park Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX. The funeral service will be held Wednesday, June 24 at 10:00 am at Forest Park Funeral Home, 12800 Westheimer Rd.