Velez Memorial Fund
Donation protected
It is hard to start this story, because I already know how it ends. This is the story of Hector Velez, Pop, as I know it.
Pop is an easy guy to like, and there's something about him that makes you want him to like you back. He's a character. He has no time for fools (low grades), yet he's patient and caring with those he loves. He'll tell you stories and he hopes that the lessons that he has learned during his lifetime will do you some good. He's from a generation of people for whom political correctness was not a thing, making his stories both useful and colorful.
Pop started life in a huge family, on a farm on the island of Puerto Rico. He was very close to his sister, who helped his mother to raise him. He liked to tell me about his first job. He drove an ice truck when he was 10 or 11 years old. He would tell me this to show me how times have changed, but also to convey that his experiences have spanned many era. He always did well in school, he is one of the smartest people I know. Bruni, his wife, always says that he could memorize any book and pass any test without ever studying. She, and others, admired his brilliance.
Pop is a veteran of the Korean War. He was injured in service when he was trapped by the enemy in freezing temperatures for three days. He suffered from exposure and nearly lost several toes. His circulation in his legs suffered for the rest of his life.
He went to school to become an accountant, but never worked as one. He worked as a cab driver in New York City and later at Letchworth Village, after the family moved out of the City. He can still tell you the best way to get through the City and he'll add in little details that only a New York Cabbie would know. The stories of Letchworth were darker, with sparks of light scattered throughout (Google Letchworth to read about the horrors). He cherished his time there and regarded himself as a friend and mentor to those who lived there. He formed close relationships with several residents, and he would tell their stories for the rest of his life.
By the time I met him, he and Bruni had moved to Michigan to live with their son, Hector (same name; confusing, right?). Hector knew his father's inability to suffer fools, and I believe that he through of my meeting Pop as a test. Either I would pass, or not. To Hector's relief, Pop and I hit it off right away (not to toot my own horn, but this is my proof that I am not a fool). In fact, Pop and I were quick friends and allies.
To explain my relationship with Pop would require how he has impacted every part of my life. He was my listening ear. He was my cheerleader. He was my daughter Bella's first best friend. He was always in my corner and always wanted what is best for me. He never wanted anything to be in the way of my happiness. I can say that he was all of these things for me, but also was for his wife, Bruni, his daughter, Barbara, and his son, Hector.
Pop started his battle with cancer a few years ago. It was a small thing, when it started. By the time he could have surgery to remove it, he was already very weak. The cancer had weakened his immune system and he was getting systemic infections. The surgery was done in February, 2017. He hasn't left the hospital since then. Bruni has been by his side day and night. Barbara, Hector, and I have been with him almost every day. He bounced back and forth between ICU and step-down units before ending up in the Long Term Acute Care Hospital. Yesterday, he made his final move, to Hospice. He is resting and the staff are working hard to keep him comfortable during his final days.
Bruni is witnessing the loss of the love of her life. She has waged a war of her own against Death, but her love for Pop is no match. The difficulties so far have been of the mind, heart, and soul. When Pop's time comes, the difficulties will be of a different sort. Bruny will be faced with the burden of many medical bills on top of bills that have stacked up in her absence. She will also have bills associated with Pop's passing. We are asking for any little bit which may ease this burden for her. She is a brave warrior and will be a veteran of this war.
Pop is an easy guy to like, and there's something about him that makes you want him to like you back. He's a character. He has no time for fools (low grades), yet he's patient and caring with those he loves. He'll tell you stories and he hopes that the lessons that he has learned during his lifetime will do you some good. He's from a generation of people for whom political correctness was not a thing, making his stories both useful and colorful.
Pop started life in a huge family, on a farm on the island of Puerto Rico. He was very close to his sister, who helped his mother to raise him. He liked to tell me about his first job. He drove an ice truck when he was 10 or 11 years old. He would tell me this to show me how times have changed, but also to convey that his experiences have spanned many era. He always did well in school, he is one of the smartest people I know. Bruni, his wife, always says that he could memorize any book and pass any test without ever studying. She, and others, admired his brilliance.
Pop is a veteran of the Korean War. He was injured in service when he was trapped by the enemy in freezing temperatures for three days. He suffered from exposure and nearly lost several toes. His circulation in his legs suffered for the rest of his life.
He went to school to become an accountant, but never worked as one. He worked as a cab driver in New York City and later at Letchworth Village, after the family moved out of the City. He can still tell you the best way to get through the City and he'll add in little details that only a New York Cabbie would know. The stories of Letchworth were darker, with sparks of light scattered throughout (Google Letchworth to read about the horrors). He cherished his time there and regarded himself as a friend and mentor to those who lived there. He formed close relationships with several residents, and he would tell their stories for the rest of his life.
By the time I met him, he and Bruni had moved to Michigan to live with their son, Hector (same name; confusing, right?). Hector knew his father's inability to suffer fools, and I believe that he through of my meeting Pop as a test. Either I would pass, or not. To Hector's relief, Pop and I hit it off right away (not to toot my own horn, but this is my proof that I am not a fool). In fact, Pop and I were quick friends and allies.
To explain my relationship with Pop would require how he has impacted every part of my life. He was my listening ear. He was my cheerleader. He was my daughter Bella's first best friend. He was always in my corner and always wanted what is best for me. He never wanted anything to be in the way of my happiness. I can say that he was all of these things for me, but also was for his wife, Bruni, his daughter, Barbara, and his son, Hector.
Pop started his battle with cancer a few years ago. It was a small thing, when it started. By the time he could have surgery to remove it, he was already very weak. The cancer had weakened his immune system and he was getting systemic infections. The surgery was done in February, 2017. He hasn't left the hospital since then. Bruni has been by his side day and night. Barbara, Hector, and I have been with him almost every day. He bounced back and forth between ICU and step-down units before ending up in the Long Term Acute Care Hospital. Yesterday, he made his final move, to Hospice. He is resting and the staff are working hard to keep him comfortable during his final days.
Bruni is witnessing the loss of the love of her life. She has waged a war of her own against Death, but her love for Pop is no match. The difficulties so far have been of the mind, heart, and soul. When Pop's time comes, the difficulties will be of a different sort. Bruny will be faced with the burden of many medical bills on top of bills that have stacked up in her absence. She will also have bills associated with Pop's passing. We are asking for any little bit which may ease this burden for her. She is a brave warrior and will be a veteran of this war.
Organizer
Sarah Dietel Velez
Organizer
Lansing, MI