Raul Tellez

July 28, 1935 – November 19, 2022

Raúl F. Téllez, age 87, of New York, NY, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 19, 2022.

Born to Luis and Maria in Victoria de las Tunas, Cuba, he emigrated to New York City in 1957. He worked a few jobs, including stints at a doll factory and a blinds factory, before a relative helped him land a position as a bus boy in a well-known NYC establishment. It was then that his career in hospitality started – bartender, restaurant manager, jobs he loved, was well-suited for and kept him employed for over 25 years.

In early 1958 he attended a party at 501 W. 110 St. It was there that he met a fellow Cuban émigré with dancing brown eyes, Noris Jiménez. They were married six months later and moved into 501. Raúl was drafted into the U.S. Army one month later on his 23rd birthday, leaving behind his young bride, who was pregnant with the first of their four children. He proudly served his country from 1958 to 1960 and his big Army story was that on the day Elvis Presley was to present himself for duty, there was a huge snowstorm and Raúl was one several assigned to clear the airfield so Elvis Presley’s plane could land.

Raúl was hard working, warm and generous. He was funny, with a biting sense of humor and always had a quick smile and funny anecdote for his family, friends and neighbors. He loved westerns and we think he really wished he had been a cowboy in the Old West. Go figure…

An avid sports fan, Raúl particularly loved baseball and his team of teams was the Brooklyn Dodgers. He was bereft when they were lured by the promise of fame, money, and their own stadium to Tinseltown. He vowed never to follow baseball anymore, cruel mistress that she was. Indeed, he kept that promise until NY got a new team formed of old, ex-Giant and ex-Dodger players – The Mets. He became a life-long fan and deeply felt their highs and the many more lows that followed.

Raul and Noris were married for 51 years and she predeceased him in 2013. He is survived by his children, Raul Jr. (Alexandra), Jacqueline (Robert), Ivette and Francisco, his grandchildren, Daniel, Alexandrea, Allison, Carmen and Nico, their spouses and significant others, his great-grandchildren, Juliette, Eve, Daniel Jr., Nina and Julius. He is also survived by his half sister Sylvia and her family, nieces and nephews, his many friends and neighbors.

He will be deeply missed and his memory cherished always.