Dolores J. Velasquez

Dolores, affectionately called "Lolita" by family and friends, was born in Iquitos Peru on September 18, 1926. Lolita fulfilled a lifelong dream when she arrived in the United States on her birthday in 1956. Lolita worked several decades for the Veterans Administration initially at the VA Hospital in Lyons, NJ, then at the Bay Pines VA medical center in St Petersburg FL and finishing at Tampa Bay VA Hospital. She was also a small business owner once running Lolita's Mini Mart in Tampa in the late 1980's. She loved traveling, reading nonfiction books, cooking and being involved in church activities. She was a member of the Riverview Seventh Day Adventist Church. Lolita was always a gracious host and loved having her ten grandchildren and eight great grandchildren visit. She graduated from Colegio Union High School in Nana, Lima Peru.

She was preceded in death by her husband Oscar Velasquez who predeceased her in 2010.

She is survived by children and spouses Nancy Gomez of Riverview FL, Oscar and Maria Velasquez of Bellport NY, Jens and Ann Velasquez of St Augustine and Erwin and Dina Velasquez of Woodcliff Lake NJ, grandson Erwin Freeland of Riverview FL who she helped raise as well as 10 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff from LifePath Hospice Sun City Center Hospice House were wonderful providing love and care during Lolita's last months.

In lieu of flowers, the family would like contributions made to organizations that were close to Lolita's heart:

Paralyzed Veterans America Florida Gulf Coast: https://floridagulfcoastpva.org/

LifePath Hospice Sun City Center Hospice House: https://www.chaptershealth.org/locations/lifepath-hospice-sun-city-center-hospice-house/

A visitation for Dolores will be held Sunday, October 10, 2021 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Gonzalez Funeral Home, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614. A funeral service will occur Sunday, October 10, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM, 7209 North Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33614. A committal service will occur Sunday, October 10, 2021 from 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM at Hillsboro Memorial Gardens, 2323 West Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gonzalezfuneral.com for the Velasquez family.