Jaime "Jimmy" Velez-Cruz

Jaime (Jimmy) Velez-Cruz died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family, in Valrico, FL on June 21, 2021 at the age of 86.

Jaime was born in Bronx, NY on October 20, 1934 to Cecilia Cruz and Javier Velez. He grew up on E 138th Street in the South Bronx with his mother, stepfather, grandmother, and brother, Antonio (King). Jimmy graduated from The Commerce High School in New York City. He served in the United States Air Force for 4 years, honorably discharged on April 12, 1956. Jimmy returned to New York where he married Sally Velez in Manhattan, NY. Together, Sally and Jimmy had two children and moved to Puerto Rico in 1962.

Jimmy worked for ITT Corporation from 1962 to 1985, travelling across North America, South America, and the Caribbean for business. Following his retirement from ITT, he moved from Puerto Rico to Miami, Florida where he worked for American Airlines for 10 years before finally retiring to spend time with family. He was an avid lifelong reader and enjoyed spending time in his retirement travelling with his wife, playing the stock market, watching western movies, and visiting with his friends. His greatest joy though was celebrating the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

Jimmy was a man of great patience, kindness, wisdom, and understanding. He never missed a good party and he was famous for his Rum and Cokes (affectionately called Papi’s Holy Water by his family). He was a great storyteller -- he could captivate a room with tales from his youth, his time in the Air Force, and of course his days as a Puerto Rican international businessman.

He is survived by his wife of more than 65 years, Sally Velez Rivera; his son David and wife Bettina; his daughter Gina and husband Matthew; and his grandchildren David Jr., Marisa and partner Erick, Rebecca and partner Michael, Veronica and husband Kevin, Kelly, and Nicholas.

Jimmy will be sorely missed by all those who loved him, especially Sally, the love of his life; he will be remembered for his one-line words of wisdom. Jimmy’s life was one lived to the fullest and his legacy will live on by the family he raised – his proudest accomplishment. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Luke’s Church on E 138th Street in the South Bronx, NY https://stlukebronx.org/ or the American Heart Association.

A visitation for family and friends will be held on Thursday, June 24, 4pm to 8pm, at Hillsboro Memorial Funeral Home in Brandon, FL. A funeral mass will be held on Friday, June 25 at 1pm at Nativity Catholic Church in Brandon, FL.